RAWALPINDI, July 8 (APP): Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General
Raheel Sharif on Friday visited troops deployed on front-lines along the Line of Control (LOC) in Kel and Bagh Sectors.
According to ISPR, COAS greeted them Eid and spent time with them.
He said high state of morale of troops, operational preparedness and
vigil being maintained along the LOC is highly commendable.
Paying rich tributes to the supreme sacrifices of officers and men of
Pakistan Army, the COAS appreciated their spirit of valour, sacrifice and
extreme commitment for defence of the motherland.
Earlier on arrival, the COAS was received by Corps Commander
Lieutenant General Malik Zafar Iqbal.
Meanwhile, on first day of Eid ul Fitr, COAS General Raheel Sharif
had spent the Eid with the troops in the forward areas of North and South
Waziristan agencies.
The COAS offered his Eid prayers at Shawal and interacted with
the troops.
Later, he visited Datta Khel where he met with the troops. Greeting
them a happy Eid, General Raheel commended their morale and spirit of
fighting on the front line to protect the motherland, according to
Inter-Services Public Relations.
The COAS was briefed by Corps Commander and Formation
Commander in detail, about ongoing sanitization and stabilization operation
as part of the Zarb-e-Azb and post-operation security environment.
He said the nation and valiant Army had paid a huge prize for
eliminating terrorists and restoring peace in the country.
“We will not let these sacrifices go waste,” the COAS said. “With
FATA cleared and terrorists being chased across the country, we are
determined not to allow them to return and reverse our gains,” he
added.
The COAS said operations against terrorists of all hue and colour
would continue.
He said,”As consolidation goes on and operational dividends
optimized for Pak-Afghan border region, Pakistan will not allow anyone
to use its soil against Afghanistan and LEAs to take concrete measures
against violators.”
General Raheel said peace and stability along Pak-Afghan border
“remains our priority, towards which we will commit all our efforts.”
Border management and dignified repatriation of Afghan refugees were
important enablers for lasting peace, he added.
“Our efforts for peace in Afghanistan have been acknowledged while
we are committed to facilitate the reconciliation process with sincerity,
commitment and resolve, we expect non-use of Afghanistan territory against
Pakistan,” he said.
Earlier on arrival on the front lines, the COAS was received by
Corps Commander Peshawar Lt Gen Hidayat Ur Rehman.