ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir vowed that the armed forces would pursue the facilitators, abettors and perpetrators of “terrorism” with full force, the military’s media wing said on Wednesday, as Islamabad attempts to quell rising militant attacks.
Munir celebrated Eid Al-Adha festival in Balochistan’s Zhob district with frontline troops deployed along Pakistan’s western borders on Wednesday, the military’s media wing, the ISPR, said in a statement.
The statement comes as Pakistan grapples with surging militant attacks in Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan. A blast on Sunday targeted a train in the Quetta district, killing at least 20 and injuring 25. Separatist militant outfit Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack.
“He reiterated that the Armed Forces, in close coordination with law enforcement agencies and the people of Balochistan, would continue to pursue all facilitators, abettors and perpetrators of terrorism with full force,” the Inter-Services Public Relations, the military’s media wing, said in a statement.
Pakistan blames India for supporting ethnic Baloch militant outfits in southwestern Balochistan, a charge New Delhi denies. Speaking about the Quetta blast, Munir blamed Indian-sponsored “Fitna Al-Hindustan” or “Mischief backed by India” and its proxies for the blast.
Pakistan’s military uses “Fitna Al-Hindustan” to describe separatist Baloch militants.
“He emphasized that the morale and resolve of troops and the people of Pakistan remained unshaken,” the ISPR said.
Munir exchanged Eid greetings with officers and soldiers, praising them for their grit, unwavering resolve, operational preparedness and steadfast vigilance amid “foreign-sponsored terrorism,” the ISPR said.
Islamabad also blames Afghanistan for sheltering BLA and other militant outfits that launch attacks against Pakistan. Afghanistan denies the charges and has urged Pakistan to resolve its security challenges by itself.
