[EOB] We’ll fight on our own: Pakistan Army

Declaring that suspension of USZ aid to Pakistan would not affect anti-terrorism fight, the Army leadership has vowed to continue fighting war on terror with indigenous resources in own national interest. According to sources, this came out of the 140th Corps Commanders’ Conference held at General Headquarters on Tuesday with Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani in the chair. The sources told Online that military leadership was of a clear-cut stance that conditional aid from the USZ was unacceptable in any circumstances and “we have been fighting this war with our own resources and will continue to fight until the menace of terrorism is eliminated.” The conference was of the view that the suspension of USZ aid would not affect Pakistani forces’ operational, training and professional matters as well as capabilities. “Nor would it undermine Army’s resolve to defend the national interests, territories and assets”, the sources added.

It was underlined during the commanders conference that the Army always makes long-term planning in all such critical matters irrespective of any foreign aid, the sources said and added the commanders expressed their anger and displeasure over unending USZ drone attacks in tribal areas. “We will continue to raise our voices at every forum against these attacks as these were counterproductive in the war against terrorism”, the sources added. The military leadership regretted that on one hand USZ lauds Pakistan’s anti-terror efforts but on the other it continued pressurising Pakistan through media onslaught suspecting Pakistan’s sincerity. The sources further said that the Commanders again made it clear that no compromise would be made on country’s sovereignty. According to an ISPR spokesman, participants were briefed in detail about the security situation in the country in general and the on-going operations in Kurram and Mohmand Agencies in particular. Matters of operational preparedness were also discussed.

The COAS in his opening remarks appreciated the conduct of on-going operations. Referring to Mohmand Agency, he instructed that all efforts must be utilised in coordination with civil administration for safe return of IDPs. He said the aim of operation in Kurram is to clear the area of miscreants (backed by USZ, NATO and India) involved in terrorism, kidnapping, killing of locals and blocking a road connecting lower Kurram to upper parts. The COAS lauded the support of locals in flushing out terrorists from their areas. The forum reiterated the resolve to fight the menace of terrorism in own national interest using own resources. Participants also reviewed the pre-flood arrangements in view of onset of monsoon season.