Radd-ul-Fasaad aims to consolidate gains of past operations: DG ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Director General Inter Services Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor Tuesday said the purpose of operation Radd-ul-Fasaad is to consolidate gains of all past operations in the country, clarifying that recent actions are not against people of any specific province.

"Pakistan comes first, then provinces. Terrorists have no religion, country, province or sect," he said, adding that every action by security agencies came after having received evidence.

"Indiscriminate action is being taken all over the country and it is not on the basis of any province, organisation or sect. This propaganda would have a foreign conspiracy behind it."

'Radd-ul-Fasaad meant to eliminate all terror facilitators'

Gen Ghafoor said that operation 'Radd-ul-Fasaad' is meant to eliminate all terror facilitators. "The name of the operation itself conveys a message that it is aimed at wiping out all miscreants, internal and external, from the country, who tend to destabilise Pakistan."

We are to further stabilise the country and bring back peace here, he added.

'Past offensives were to establish state writ'

"Every operation launched against terrorists was successful. Most of the past offensives were aimed at establishing the writ of state," he said.

"The military conducted operation in all seven agencies in FATA, while the basic purpose of operation Zarb-e-Azb was to clear North Waziristan of terrorists' presence."

The DG ISPR further said the military seeks to consolidate gains of all past offensives through 'Radd-ul-Fasaad'.

"Most of the terrorists have either been killed or they have fled to Afghanistan. These terrorists based in Afghanistan have support from hostile agencies including RAW."

'Terrorists have support from hostile agencies'

"They cannot carry out such attacks without support from hostile agencies," Major General Asif Ghafoor said, referring to the recent wave of terror attacks which left over a hundred people dead in the country.

He, however, said that Afghanistan has itself been through problems and has also rendered sacrifices. Kabul has complete support from Pakistan, he added.

"There is a need to improve border mechanism with Afghanistan and Kabul should take some measures for reopening of border between the two countries," the DG ISPR said.

He reiterated that Pakistani soil was not at all being used for terrorism in Afghanistan.

PSL final security

Asked about security during Pakistan Super League final, Gen Ghafoor said, "Be it PSL or any other event, if tasked, the Pakistan Army will provide security to it".

Pakistan on Wednesday launched a nationwide military operation 'Radd-ul-Fasaad', which would include broad-spectrum security and counter-terrorism operations in Punjab, and continuation of ongoing operations across the country.

The crackdown came in reaction to recent wave of terror attacks in the country which prompted the civil-military leadership to order an all-out campaign against terrorists and their facilitators.

The Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Navy, Civil Armed Forces as well as other security and law enforcement agencies will continue to actively participate and support the efforts of the Pakistan Army to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country.