Pakistan army chief vows to eliminate fleeing militants
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, April 2, IRNA -- Pakistan Army chief General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani Thursday told tribal elders that the security forces will eliminate fleeing militants with the help of tribesmen.
“The security forces have destroyed bases of the brutal and selfish terrorists on the soil of South Wazirstan tribal region,” General Kayani told a jirga or tribal council of Mehsood tribe in a letter.
The letter titled ‘Promise with Mehsood brothers’ with General Kayani photograph, Pakistan national flag and army’s monogram was distributed among a jirga in the city of Tank, near South Waziristan.
“I know that officers and soldiers of Pakistan’s army rendered sacrifices for peace your area but you also sacrificed lives, houses, and peace and frustrated the plans of anti-statements,” he added.
The security forces had launched a major ground and air offensive against thousands of militants of Tehrik-e-Taliban in South Waziristan in October.
The jirga was called by the local administration of South Waziristan to discuss repatriation of thousands of Mehsood tribesmen, who were displaced due to fighting.
“In the next spring you people will be in your area and the government of Pakistan has allocated a large amount for the developmental projects,” the army chief said in his letter.
He said Pakistan army would supervise development projects in the insurgency-hit areas and the locals would be given role in the projects.
He added that the projects include repair of old roads, building new roads, small dams for agriculture, electricity and education.
He opined that these projects will create jobs and will lay foundation of durable peace in the area.
“I salute to the courage of brave Mehsood tribes and assure that Pakistan army will do anything for peace and tranquility in your area,” General Kayani said.
**1420
End News / IRNA / News Code 1032060
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