Rawalpindi, September 05, 2024 — In a detailed press briefing today, the spokesperson of the Pakistan Army, DG ISPR, gave a media briefing on recent activities and responses by the military with regard to internal and external threats. It also covered the court-martial of Gen Faiz Hameed, actions of the army on the fatal attacks in Balochistan, and other connected security perspectives emanating from the Pakistan security circle.
Court Martial of Gen Faiz Hameed
The press conference began with an elaboration on the much-publicized court-martial of Gen Faiz Hameed. According to DG ISPR, the action was based on “concrete evidence” gathered in the aftermath of an investigation by an effective investigating team. The case against the arrested General Hameed last month, according to the accusation has been found guilty on a number of counts under the Army Act. The move presages a sea change in the way allegations are handled within the military when it involves high-ranking officials and upends the long-held perception that senior officers are above the law.DG ISPR maintained that the system of self-accountability that had evolved in the Pakistan Army was “very comprehensive, transparent, and time-tested.” He explained that officers, whatever their rank, receive all legal rights, including the right to appoint a lawyer and the right of appeal in case any verdict is given against them.
Response to Balochistan Attacks
The briefing also explained the recent wave of violence in Balochistan, particularly the terrorist attacks carried out on August 26, 2024. DG ISPR attributed those attacks to being “on the directives of internal and external enemies and their abettors” for the express purpose of destabilizing the region and undermining its development. In response, security forces managed to neutralize 21 terrorists, while the violence led to the martyrdom of 14 security personnel.The DG ISPR acknowledged that the deprivation and dissatisfaction amongst someBalochistan residents are at the root of these incidents, which the external elements exploit to further their interests. “The terrorists have no link to Islam, humanity, or Baloch tradition and since the operations against terrorism began, “the army has been playing a key role in maintaining peace and security in the region.”
Operation Raad ul Fasad Continues
DG ISPR updated on Pakistan’s Counter Terrorism campaign that during the first eight months of year 2024, Security Forces conducted 32,173 Intelligence-Based Operations. These include 4,021 operations during the past month, in which 90 terrorists have been neutralized. Military and Law Enforcement Agencies conduct more than 130 operations every day to defeat terrorism in all parts of the country.One of the major operations reported was the overall campaign in the valley of Tirah, starting on August 20, 2024. It was targeted against the TTP and its affiliates, Lashkar-i-Islam, and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar. As many as 37 terrorists were killed during the operation; it also included a high-value target by the name of Abuzar urf Saddam. In this action, four soldiers embraced martyrdom.
Heightened Security Concerns and Government Response
Recently, terrorist attacks have increased significantly, as 59 incidents took place in August 2024 as compared to 38 in July. This compels the military and government to take constructive initiatives towards a policy of counterterrorism. It has also announced monetary support for the Balochistan administration against terrorism.To combat these challenges, the military has intensified its operations in the most troubled areas of KP and Balochistan. The top brass of the Pakistan Army, at a Corps Commanders’ Conference, resolved to safeguard the “hard-earned successes” against terrorism and attributed the uptick in violence to “inimical forces, malicious actors, and subversive proxies.”
He concluded the briefing by reiterating the commitment of the Pakistan Army toward the security of the homeland and its strict process of self-accountability. He candidly told them that the army acts upon principles of justice for the safeguarding of national integrity, which has nothing to do with personal or political interests.
This all-encompassing update underlines the fact that the Pakistan Army, while trying to restore stability and security internally through striving, is quite active in taking initiative against internal malpractices, as well as external threats.
