Regional actors, hostile agencies using terror as policy tool, says army chief

RAWALPINDI: The Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Tuesday chaired a security meeting in Lahore and said regional actors and hostile agencies are fully involved in using terror as a policy tool.

General Bajwa also said the key to defeating terrorism is participation at the national level.

"We have fought terrorism as a nation. Key to success is national participation," the Inter-Services Public Relations quoted the army chief as saying. 

Referring to the recent terror attacks in Kabul and Lahore, he offered Pakistan's help to Afghanistan in eliminating terrorists safe havens in their border areas.

"Concurrent blasts in Kabul and Lahore are testimony to the fact of our stance that both Pakistan and Afghanistan are victims of terrorism."

He added that both countries will continue to suffer if these "actors are able to use Afghanistan's territory with impunity".

General Bajwa also said the Army fully supports and stands with the police and other law enforcement agencies towards performance of their role as first responders. 

He added that the people should report suspicious activity to the security forces. 

During the meeting General Bajwa said such incidents can not lower our resolve to eliminate terrorism from its roots. He was also given a detailed briefing on the ongoing security operation in the country and the attack in Lahore. 

The high-level huddle came after a suicide attack on Lahore's Ferozepur road martyred at least 26 people, with nine policemen among them.