No terrorist network exists in Pakistan, says DG ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor in a press conference says no terrorist network exists in Pakistan after security forces launched operations to eliminate rogue elements.

TTP or Daeesh are the reasons we are compelled to keep our forces on the western side of border, he said while briefing the media about internal security situation of the country.

“The deployment at western border is not against [either] Iran or Afghanistan but the non-state actors [which are] active in the two countries,” he remarked.

Security up at border

Maj Gen Ghafoor said that around 100,000 troops have been deployed at the eastern borders of the country, while as many as 200,000 personnel are deployed at the western borders.

He said over 50% of Afghan land is under control of the insurgents. “Stabilization in Afghanistan is yet a challenge for Afghan authorities,” Ghafoor added.

He underlined that a major terror threat was looming in Karachi, but it was foiled with the efforts of security forces.

Operation Khyber-IV is going on successfully, he said.

The army spokesperson said terrorists were also eyeing to target Bohra Community, but couldn’t succeed due to timely measures of our law enforcement agencies.

He said four agencies of the enemy were attempting to launch terror incident in Pakistan.

At a press briefing on August 22 about successful completion of Khyber-4 operation in Rajgal Valley, Major Gen Ghafoor had said 52 terrorists were killed and five arrested by the armed forces during the operation.

The operation was launched under Radd-ul-Fasaad, a countrywide anti-terror initiative launched by the military to wipe out terrorists. Operation Khyber-4 was aimed at securing the international border with Afghanistan by preventing Daesh and other local militants on Afghan side of the border from infiltration.

We are now seeing a peaceful Pakistan, he added.

India to pay the price for ceasefire violations

Briefing about security situation at the eastern border, the DG ISPR said that the border with India is unsafe with mounting number of ceasefire violations. “The ceasefire accord violations this year claimed 222 civilian lives along Line of Control (LoC) alone,” he added.

“India too has paid a price to violations of the ceasefire accord with our response and we will continue to do so, if the neighbouring country does not act with restraint,” Ghafoor further added.

Highlighting threats from India, he said the threats from the neighbouring country are perpetual, adding: “Pakistan is a peaceful country [and] we do not want a war with India, [however] the country is capable of giving befitting response to any aggression.”

‘No rift among institutions’

Maj Ghafoor said Rangers personnel were deployed outside the accountability court due to security threats. With a security pass, even the army chief cannot enter the court, he said.

He dispelled the impression of rifts between the state institutions.