Army chief orders ‘grand operation’ against terrorists in south Punjab

LAHORE: On Tuesday hief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa directed the launch of a grand operation against terrorists in south Punjab.

According to ARY News, the army chief said the operation would be carried out after taking the Punjab government into confidence.

Chairing a high-level military meeting in Lahore, he said “Operation against terrorists should be expedited.” The meeting was briefed on the tragic incident of Mall Road suicide blast attack.

As per the report, the meeting decided to launch the crackdown against those banned outfits working with different names. Intelligence-based operations would be escalated and combing operations would be sped.

The COAS had also instructed local army commander and intelligence agencies to provide all necessary assistance to civil administration and also to apprehend those responsible for this heinous act.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday also said that war against terror will be taken to its logical conclusion with greater determination.

The prime minister was a speaking at a high level meeting, held for reviewing law and order situation in the country after a suicide blast in Lahore that claimed 16 lives, including senior police officials.

On Monday, at least 16 people including senior police officers have been killed while 73 others were injured after a strong explosion near Punjab Assembly.

The bomb blast occurred at Charing Cross, Mall Road, Lahore, killing DIG Traffic Capt (r) Ahmad Mubeen, SSP Mahmood Gondal and DSP Pervez Butt, police sources told Daily Pakistan.

The incident occurred as hundreds of chemists were protesting nearby against a new regulatory law, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said.