Pakistan launches military operation near Afghan border

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces have launched a major offensive against militants in the northwestern tribal region of Kurram on the Afghan border, Pakistan’s military spokesman said on Monday.

Military Backs Political Process: ISPR

News Trends: Pakistan armed forces would continue to support political process in the country within ambit of the constitution, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) spokesman said on Saturday.

In a statement released by ISPR, the spokesman said the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani respected the political leadership.

The COAS also valued political leaders, including PMLN chief Nawaz Sharif, added Major General Athar Abbas.

The statement went on to state the armed forces would continue to follow the policy of supporting political process within the boundaries of constitution.

Wahga border parade not to change: DG Rangers

Director General of Pakistan Rangers Major General Yaqub Khan has said that the parade on the Wahga border would be continued with traditional zeal and fervor and no request has been received from India to change this traditional style, trendpk.Com reported on Saturday.

According to a press release by the Pakistan Rangers a six-monthly session of talks between the Border Security Force of India and Pakistan Rangers in which it was agreed by the two parties that the parade commanders would shake hands during the parade. DG Rangers further said that if India forwards any such request it would be given a consideration. He said that parade is the proud of a soldier and that the traditional style of the parade would be maintained and continued. He said that the media would be soon invited to the border so that it could witness itself that the traditional parade is continued.

Baghdad: All attackers killed in church operation

In Baghdad, Iraq on Monday all the gunmen who stormed a church, seizing dozens of Iraqi and threatening to kill them were killed when the Iraqi police raided the church and ended the stand-off.
Minister of Defence Abdul Qader al-Obeidi who supervised the operation with Baghdad security spokesman Major General Qassim al-Moussawi and a number of Iraqi military commanders said that most of the hostages were rescued and all the attackers were killed, but he stopped short of giving numbers. The US military said between seven and 10 hostages and seven members of the Iraqi security forces, as well as seven attackers, were killed in the rescue operation. Most of the people who were attending the mass were rescued and the operation was carried out with high efficiency. Witnesses reported seeing many bodies inside the church after the gunmen wearing suicide vests threw grenades or blew themselves up as Iraqi forces stormed the building. The insurgents laid siege to one of Baghdad’s biggest churches as more than 100 parishioners attended Sunday mass in a central district near the heavily fortified Green Zone, home to embassies and the Iraqi government. US military officials watched the rescue operation from cameras in hovering helicopters. Violence has fallen sharply in Iraq since the height of sectarian bloodshed in 2006-07 but attacks by Sunni insurgents linked to al Qaeda and Shi’ite militia continue daily. Some police sources said they believed the initial target was the nearby Iraqi stock exchange, a bourse that lists a couple dozen local companies.

COAS Kayani Orders Probe into Video Footage

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani Friday ordered an inquiry into an Internet video that shows men in military uniforms executing six young men in civilian clothes.

The COAS said in a statement that he has ordered setting up of a board of inquiry to establish the true identity of uniformed personnel and the veracity of the video footage.

‘The board will be headed by a Major General, a two star officer of Pakistan Army. He will be assisted by two / three senior officers with the experience of investigating into such incidents. Necessary technical expertise will be made available to the board’, the statement said.

General Kayani referred back to his Command Directive on the issues of Human Rights and Extra Judicial Killings, and stated that such violations of his orders, if true, will not be tolerated.

He categorically stated that it is not expected of a professional army to engage in excesses against the people whom it is trying to guard against the scourge of terrorism.

Expressing his determination to take strictest possible disciplinary action against the perpetrators, if identified to be soldiers of Pakistan Army, he termed the incident as unacceptable under any circumstances. He emphasized that Rules of Engagement (ROE) are sacrosanct.

He, however, cautioned against reaching hasty conclusions about involvement of Pakistan Army soldiers. He pointed out that in order to hide their identities, cause confusion and malign Pakistan Army; terrorists have previously been disguising themselves as Pakistan Army soldiers during a number of attacks including the one on GHQ.

General Kayani also directed commanders at all levels to be vigilant and follow the Army policy of zero tolerance in such cases in true letter and spirit.

The COAS said in a statement that he has ordered setting up of a board of inquiry to establish the true identity of uniformed personnel and the veracity of the video footage.’The board will be headed by a Major General, a two star officer of Pakistan Army. He will be assisted by two / three senior officers with the experience of investigating into such incidents. Necessary technical expertise will be made available to the board’, the statement said.General Kayani referred back to his Command Directive on the issues of Human Rights and Extra Judicial Killings, and stated that such violations of his orders, if true, will not be tolerated.He categorically stated that it is not expected of a professional army to engage in excesses against the people whom it is trying to guard against the scourge of terrorism.Expressing his determination to take strictest possible disciplinary action against the perpetrators, if identified to be soldiers of Pakistan Army, he termed the incident as unacceptable under any circumstances. He emphasized that Rules of Engagement (ROE) are sacrosanct.He, however, cautioned against reaching hasty conclusions about involvement of Pakistan Army soldiers. He pointed out that in order to hide their identities, cause confusion and malign Pakistan Army; terrorists have previously been disguising themselves as Pakistan Army soldiers during a number of attacks including the one on GHQ.General Kayani also directed commanders at all levels to be vigilant and follow the Army policy of zero tolerance in such cases in true letter and spirit.

COAS sets up body to probe video footage

Taking notice of an Internet video that shows Pakistan Army soldiers executing six youths clad in civvies, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani Friday ordered setting up of a commission to ascertain veracity of the footage.
The COAS said in a statement that the board of inquiry would establish the true identity of uniformed personnel and the veracity of the video footage.
‘The board will be headed by a Major General, a two star officer of Pakistan Army. He will be assisted by two/three senior officers with the experience of investigating into such incidents. Necessary technical expertise would be made available to the board’, the statement said.
General Kayani referred back to his Command Directive on the issues of Human Rights and Extra Judicial Killings, and stated that such violations of his orders, if true, will not be tolerated.He categorically stated that it is not expected of a professional army to engage in excesses against the people whom it is trying to guard against the scourge of terrorism. Expressing his determination to take strictest possible disciplinary action against the perpetrators, if identified to be soldiers of Pakistan Army, he termed the incident as unacceptable under any circumstances. He emphasized that Rules of Engagement (ROE) are sacrosanct.
He, however, cautioned against reaching hasty conclusions about involvement of Pakistan Army soldiers. He pointed out that in order to hide their identities, cause confusion and malign Pakistan Army; terrorists have previously been disguising themselves as Pakistan Army soldiers during a number of attacks including the one on GHQ.General Kayani also directed commanders at all levels to be vigilant and follow the Army policy of zero tolerance in such cases in true letter and spirit.

COAS Gen. Kayani visits AAC in Rawalpindi

Staff Report

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited Army Aviation Command (AAC) in Rawalpindi on Saturday.

According to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release, he was given a comprehensive briefing on professional aspects of Army Aviation. The COAS also interacted with troops and appreciated their performance in security and flood relief operations.

On arrival, the COAS was received by Major General Raja Muhammad Arif Nazir, General Officer Commanding Army Aviation Command. SAMAA

Jordanian Air Force Commander calls on COAS, CJCSC

Staff Report

RAWALPINDI: Major General Malek Salameh Habashneh, Commander Royal Jordanian Air Fore called on Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee, General Tariq Majid on Tuesday.

According to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release, the visiting dignitary remained with General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani for some time at GHQ and discussed matters of professional interest.

Major General Habashneh also called on Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee, General Tariq Majid, at Joint Staff Headquarters.

They discussed professional matters related to progress in bilateral defense cooperation and recent regional security developments, especially in the Middle East and Afghanistan.

General Tariq Majid also conveyed his gratitude for the relief assistance provided by the government

Up to 150 Taliban killed in eastern Afghan offensive

KABUL: A force of about 700 US and Afghan troops has killed up to 150 Taliban insurgents in a major offensive along eastern Afghanistan”s border with Pakistan, the Washington Post reported Tuesday.

The US-led operation, which began Sunday, was one of the largest yet in the region around Kunar province, said the newspaper, which cited US officials as calling it “one of the most intense battles of the past year” in Afghanistan.

In a statement Sunday, NATO”s International Security Assistance Force said more than 600 ISAF and Afghan troops were pursuing Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants in Kunar and that “a number of insurgents” had been killed.

Two US troops had been killed in the battle, according to ISAF, which had no immediate update to offer on Tuesday.

A US daily reported the offensive was designed to flush out growing numbers of Taliban militants bidding to open up a second front in Kunar, as the US-led ISAF battles to root out insurgents in southern Afghanistan.

“The Taliban know we are bringing our surge of forces, and they realise they can”t just let that happen, so they are pursuing their own surge,” Major General John Campbell, the senior commander in eastern Afghanistan, told the newspaper.

Army Chief monitoring Hunza lake situation: Commander

GILGIT: Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani is personally monitoring the rise of water level in Atta Abad Hunza lake.

This was stated by Commander of the Armed forces in Gilgit-Baltistan, Major General Qamar Javed Bajwa in a news briefing here Wednesday. He said the land sliding was not a new phenomena in the area rather it had occurred in the past as well. He disclosed that through optic fiber the army chief and he himself were monitoring the situation.

The Commander said the next 48 hours were very crucial, as the water from the lake would start getting released within this timeframe.

He was said that unprecedented helicopter service backed up the communication system and it was used for transportation of passengers as well as edibles.

The commander assured that Pak Army was fully prepared to handle the lake issue in a professional way and said that compensation for the human loss was paid and assessment for the property loss was also being made which would materialize in course of time.

He said a format for the assessment of losses was designed just to make the entire process transparent, and in this regard, a Major of the army would be part of the surveying team.

Major General Qamar Javed Bajwa termed the relief camps, set for the Internally Displaced People, better than of Sawat and Azad Jammu and Kashmir and said that it was the duty of civil government to facilitate the affectees and the army was only a supporting element.

The commander said army medical teams were on a stand by, to handle any untoward situation, along with medicines and an effective communication system.

The general said that in case of water wave of 20,000 cusec the bridges would be damaged, adding, an alternate system had been prepared by the army to carry on transport services.

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