Operation against terrorists affected by India: Gen Raheel

Published November 19, 2014
Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif. - Reuters/File photo
Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif. - Reuters/File photo

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Raheel Sharif said Pakistan's operation against terrorists in the country's tribal region was affected by Indian troops' continuous violation of ceasefire at the Line of Control (LoC) and Working Boundary (WB), said a report published by BBC Urdu.

An official in Washington told BBC Urdu, on condition of anonymity, that during his first visit to the United States, the army chief had said that heavy firing by Indian troops along the border and statements issued by their leaders were affecting Pakistan's campaign in fighting against extremism.

Gen Raheel told US officials that Pakistan has deployed 140,000 troops on its Western borders after getting assurance that there would be peace with India on its Eastern borders which did not happen.

However, there was no word on Gen Raheel's statement by the US, but experts often say that the US now avoids interfering in India-Pakistan matters.

Frequency of ceasefire violation along the LoC and working boundary has increased during the past several weeks. Pakistan has also established diplomatic channels to communicate with India over the issue. More than 19 people have lost their lives on both sides as a result of the cross-border conflict.

Gen Raheel was expected to meet US congressmen on Wednesday (today) where he would brief them on the ongoing operation Zarb-i-Azb in North Waziristan. Issues related to US-Pakistan long-term strategic partnership post-withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan would also be discussed during the meeting.

Observers say that Gen Raheel could present Zarb-i-Azb as an example, based on which he will demand continuation of military aid to the country.

According to recently released figures by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), more than 1,200 militants have been killed and 200 militants hideouts have been destroyed during the operation.

The military has also claimed the wiping out of Haqqani Network and the East Turkistan Movement from the region, the report said.

Opinion

Editorial

Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...
Strange claim
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Strange claim

In all likelihood, Pakistan and US will continue to be ‘frenemies'.
Media strangulation
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Media strangulation

Administration must decide whether it wishes to be remembered as an enabler or an executioner of press freedom.
Israeli rampage
21 Dec, 2024

Israeli rampage

ALONG with the genocide in Gaza, Israel has embarked on a regional rampage, attacking Arab and Muslim states with...