Balochistan has turned tide against terrorists: Army Chief

QUETTA: Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif said that the people of Balochistan had rejected foreign sponsored terrorists and helped the state in busting their network.

The Army Chief, while addressing officers and troops of Southern Command and Frontier Corps Balochistan as part of his farewell visits, said that the tide in Balochistan has turned against terrorists and their sympathisers.

Also, a large number of militants who had picked up arms had surrendered and the Army will continue to work with the provincial and federal government towards greater security and stability.

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He said that security and assistance to civil government in institution building and development work in remote areas has been his priority which brought him to Balochistan almost every month.

General Sharif paid glowing tributes to the officers and soldiers of Southern Command and Frontier Corps, and commended them for managing an arduous task of construction of over 1000 km long road network in the rugged and hostile terrain which helped in operationalisation of CPEC in a stipulated time frame.

The COAS said that Gwadar port and CPEC will usher into new era of hope and prosperity for the area with dividends reaching a common man.

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He also appreciated Southern Command for reintegrating youth by their mass induction into Frontier Constabular and the Army, rehabilitation of earthquake hit Awaran, and training of 6000 policemen and levies.

He also appreciated the improvement in management of long and treacherous border with Afghanistan and Iran which has helped improve overall security situation in the province.

He was welcomed by Lt Gen Aamir Riaz, Commander Southern Command and Major General Sher Afgun, IG FC Balochistan. Later, the Army Chief also met with Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, who thanked the efforts of General Sharif for peace and security in the province.