Clear evidence of foreign hand in recent incidents, says COAS during Parachinar visit

PARACHINAR: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday said that there is clear evidence of a foreign hand in recent incidents and assured locals that steps are being taken to make Parachinar a safe city.

Addressing the jirgah after arriving in Parachinar, General Bajwa expressed his grief at the loss of innocent lives as a result of recent terrorist attacks in the city, and promised to compensate the victims of terrorist bombings fairly.

According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Army Chief was briefed on the security situation and updated on the Parachinar incident following his arrival in the city on Friday morning.

"Our enemies shall never succeed to lower our resolve or to divide us," said Gen Bajwa on the occasion.

Tribal elders expressed their full confidence and trust in the Army and its leadership, added the ISPR statement.

“We stand with our security forces and our blood is for our motherland. We all are Pakistani’s and Muslim" the elders said.

Meeting with the representatives of the sit-in, the army chief said that administrative concerns will be pursued with the executive body and suggestions regarding security mechanism are being incorporated.

“We can only be effective when locals are part of the security and vigilance."

'Facilitators, abettors to be tried in military courts'

The army chief on the occasion said that local facilitators and abettors have been apprehended who will be tried in military courts.

Addressing the need for further security measures in the city, General Bajwa said additional army troops have been deployed in Parachinar to enhance security while FC troops are being beefed up on the Pak-Afghan border to seal it effectively, said the statement from the military’s media wing.

The chief of army staff also announced a safe city project for Parachinar by installing CCTV cameras.

Referring to the incident of firing by FC troops, General Bajwa said the incident is being investigated and those responsible will not be spared. He added that the FC commandant has been replaced.

Talking in regards to border management, the army chief told the locals that border fencing is already in progress and sensitive areas of Fata are being fenced in the ongoing phase 1 of the project.

General Bajwa also announced that Army Public School Parachinar will be upgraded to a cadet college.

Addressing the health needs of the locals, the establishment of a trauma centre by the Army was announced and the civil hospital in the city will be upgraded to provide better medical care by the civil administration.  

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has announced compensation money for the families of people killed and those who were injured in the Parachinar blasts on June 23.

As per the announcement, Rs1 million will be given to the families of people killed in the blasts while Rs0.5 million has been announced for those left injured by the explosions.

At least 75 people lost their lives and over 300 were injured in the back-to-back bombings that hit the city on June 23. The first blast occurred as people were busy shopping for Iftar and Eid in the Turi Bazaar area, close to a crowded bus terminal in Parachinar.

The second explosion took place as people rushed to provide aid and rescue the wounded from the first explosion.