The launch of Radd-ul-Fasaad on February 22, 2017 accounts for 46 suspects apprehended, including 11 Afghans, more than 30 terrorists killed, and the recovery of weapons and ammunition, in different raids, according to ISPR. Ten officers of Army, Frontier Corps and Frontier Constabulary embraced martyrdom in the operation while 12 soldiers were injured.
The difference between Radd-ul Fasaad and Zarb-e-Azb is that the latter was restricted to specific areas, while this operation has been launched at a national level. According to ISPR, joint search and intelligence based operations have been conducted by Punjab Rangers, Police and intelligence agencies in DG-Khan, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Sialkot, Jhang and Sheikhupura
Defence analyst Talat Masood said that a large scale operation was the need of the hour, adding that Punjab had never seen any operation and action against Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and other such elements was important so that they could not escape from one province to another. He said that border management should be enhanced to stop terrorists from Afghanistan infiltrating into Pakistan, adding that civil-military leadership are on the same page on the issue.
Pakistan has launched a nationwide military operation 'Radd-ul-Fasaad', which includes broad-spectrum security and counter-terrorism operations in Punjab, and continuation of ongoing operations across the country. Chairing a high-level security session on March 2017, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif gave directions to enhance the pace of operation Radd-ul Fasaad.
While addressing a two-day Pak-UK seminar at National Defence University (NDU) in Islamabad on March 14, 2017, Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa also underlined the importance and context of the military campaign that commenced in 2007-08 and has now evolved into Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad. He said that Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad is aimed at utilising the success of previous military operations to bring lasting peace, stability and normalcy to the country.
Another defense analyst, said that operation "Radd-ul-Fasaad" was launched immediately after the latest series of terror attacks and is meant to rout the radicals who managed to escape "Zarb-e-Azb" and continue to carry out attacks inside Pakistan. The Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Navy, Civil Armed Forces as well as other security and law enforcement agencies are actively participating and supporting the efforts of the Pakistan Army to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country.
Lieutenant General Naeem Lodhi (Retd) said that it was a good decision to start this operation. He said that it would be successful in containing internal and external threats. The operation was launched in response to a series of heinous terror attacks including Punjab: Mall Road, Lahore; Mohmand Agency in FATA; the Sufi shrine in Sehwan; and Awara, Balochistan.
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