3rd anniversary of Raddul Fasaad operation: Armed forces capable of thwarting any threats: COAS

Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Saturday said that gains made during the past two decades of the war on terror would be consolidated to achieve enduring peace and stability not only in the country but all over the region.

The statement by the army chief comes on the third anniversary of operation Raddul Fasaad, a counter-terrorism operation launched in the urban areas of the country, after terrorist sanctuaries in the erstwhile tribal areas were neutralised.

He said armed forces were aware and capable of thwarting all threats to security and sovereignty of Pakistan "Operation aims at indiscriminately eliminating residual/latent threat of terrorism, consolidating gains of operations made thus far and further ensuring security of the borders," said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) at the launch of the operation on February 22, 2017.

In a series of tweets, the ISPR paid tribute to the martyrs and the sacrifices rendered by the security forces in achieving stability and peace in the country.

"Tribute to our martyrs, our real heroes [and] our pride...the residual and latent threat of terrorism was eliminated indiscriminately and the effort was backed by the entire nation," said the ISPR.

Terming the journey from "terrorism to tourism", the ISPR said, the successes were achieved at a "monumental cost paid in men and material". Praising the nation for being resilient and defeating the extremist ideology, the military also appreciated the citizenry's unflinching support to the armed forces. In February 2017, the terrorist group Jamaatul Ahrar claimed responsibility for several suicide attacks across the country. With an increase of attacks across the country, the Pakistan Army launched Operation Raddul Fasaad.

The intensive nationwide operation against terror groups, steered by Army Chief General Bajwa, successfully thwarted hundreds of terrorist plots across the country.

During the operation, the military carried out more than 49,000 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) to foil terror attacks and prevent militants from disrupting life across the country.

Major anti-terror operations include Rah-e-Haq-I, II and III in Swat (2007-2009), Sirat-e-Mustaqeem in Khyber Agency (2008), Sherdil launched with the Frontier Corps in Bajaur Agency (2008), Rah-e-Rast in Swat (2009), Rah-e-Nijat in South Waziristan (2009), and Operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan (2014).