Over 500 operations carried out with help of intelligence agencies: Chaudhry Nisar

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Wednesday said that over 500 operations have been carried out with the help of intelligence agencies since the initial peace talks with terrorists stalled.

Addressing the National Assembly on Wednesday, the minister said that several extremely nefarious plans have been foiled and in case the terrorists were able to succeed, the consequences for the country would have been disastrous.

Nisar went on to say that the country was confronting the challenge of terrorism since 13 years and initially the government tried to negotiate through peace talks with the terrorists, but their intentions were responded by attacks. He also said that the lack of a positive response led to extensive operations.

The minister further said there has been a significant decrease in terrorist attacks and that most of the terrorist’s leadership has now fled Pakistan across the borders. He also said that until the leadership was not eliminated completely, there would be no rest.

Nisar clarified that only terrorists who stood up against the country and refused to disarm themselves would be tried in military courts while the rest of the cases relating to terrorism would be sent to civilian courts.

He went on to say that terrorists were using illegal SIMs for mobile communication and now after extensive verification of SIMs, the terrorists will no longer have that advantage.

The minister also made clear that no organisation will be included in the banned outfit list on the behest of the US or India. He said that for the first time, all suspicious activities of organisations are being closely monitored following which decisions would be made and that currently 60 outfits are included in the banned list.