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TTP safe havens, cross-border terror at heart of disagreements with Kabul, says Gen Munir

News Desk
Wednesday, Jan 15, 2025

PESHAWAR: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir has said Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) safe havens and cross border terrorism is the root cause of differences with Kabul.

The COAS said Pakistan has always sought cordial ties with the neighbouring brotherly and Islamic country, and stressed the need for the resolution of the points of contention by the Afghan government.

“The only difference with Afghanistan is the presence of Fitna al-Khawarij [TTP militants] in Afghanistan and the spread of terrorism in Pakistan from across the border, and it will remain so until they [Taliban rulers] resolve this matter,” the COAS remarked in a meeting with leaders belonging to different political parties, here the other day.

Gen Munir also assured the representatives of political parties no grand operation was being planned in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, saying only intelligence-based operations (IBOs) were being conducted against militants.

The COAS called for standing up against terrorism without discrimination and prejudice. “The situation will improve if we move together,” he said, adding humans are prone to committing mistakes but not learning from the blunders is even a bigger fault.

Gen Munir also reiterated that the people and the military enjoy a special relationship. He added fake narrative of widening gulf between the army and the nation was being spread through a specific agenda from abroad.

The COAS hailed the consensus of all political parties on the National Action Plan (NAP) and stressed the need for its implementation on a priority basis.

Gen Munir was also briefed on security situation during his visit to Peshawar, the military’s media wing said. KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and other senior military officers were among the attendees of the briefing.

The COAS had warned any attempt to disturb the peace of the nation would be met with decisive and overwhelming force, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) a day earlier. “The enemy may try to sow discord and fear, but we will not relent. Hostile elements will be dealt with an iron hand. They will continue to suffer heavy losses, and their capacity to inflict harm will be decimated,” the COAS added.

He praised the unwavering resolve and unmatched sacrifices of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies, who have been instrumental in dismantling terrorist networks and thwarting their nefarious agenda.

Gen Munir stated: “As we stand united against the forces of evil, I am immensely proud of the remarkable achievements of our security forces.” “Through their dedication, courage, and supreme sacrifices, we have successfully degraded the operational capabilities of terrorist organisations, both within our borders and beyond. Our forces have relentlessly pursued and eliminated key terrorist leaders, dismantled their infrastructure, and neutralised their cells, sending a clear message that terror has no place in our land.”