Pakistan’s army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani Monday said Pakistan army has the ability and will to fight terrorists and won’t let terrorists coerce them into accepting their terms for talks.

Islamabad, Sept 16/Nationalturk- A day after a senior army commander Major General Sana Ullah Khan alongwith an officer and a soldier were killed in a IED blast triggered by banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants in tribal area of country, Pakistan’s army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani Monday said army has the ability and will to fight terrorists and won’t let terrorists coerce them into accepting their terms for talks.

In a statement released by Pakistan army, General Kayani lauded the ultimate sacrifice of the offices. “The killing of officers and injuries to other men in FATA region was cowardly act of terrorism,” he said.

Major General, 2 others killed in IED blast

Major General Sanaullah, Lt Colonel Tauseef and a soldier Irfan Sattar were killed in IED blast triggered by TTP militants in Upper Dir in tribal area of the country yesterday. The army officer had been returning after visiting a border outpost on Afghanistan-Pakistan border.  He had stayed the night with troops at 10,000 feet high border post in Bin Shahi Sector.

TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid has claimed responsibility for the attack.

While paying tributes to deceased officer, Pakistan army chief lauded the exemplary courage, total commitment to duty and demonstration of highest leadership qualities by Major General Sana Ullah Khan. “Major General Sana ullah has set towering example of leading from the front which is hallmark of leadership in Pakistan Army,” he said adding army and nation salutes his bravery.

He pledged to stand with the families of martyred officers and injured soldier. “Pakistan nation and Army will remain indebted to the sacrifices of their soldiers”.

‘We won’t let terrorists coerce us into accepting their terms’

Indirectly referring to peace overtures being made to Taliban leadership by Pakistan newly elected PML-N government, Kayani reiterated Pakistan Army’s resolve and unflinching commitment in fighting the menace of terrorism, in accordance with the will of the nation and at any cost.

He vowed to spare no effort in bringing the perpetrators of acts of terrorism to justice.

While reaffirming Army’s support to peace process, Army chief said terrorists will not be allowed to take advantage of it.

“While it is understandable to give peace a chance through a political process but no one should have any misgivings that we would let terrorists coerce us into accepting their terms. Army has the ability and the will to take the fight to the terrorists,” he added.

TTP has been demanding withdrawal of troops, release of prisoners

TTP has said it would enter into dialogue with Pakistan government only when army troops pulls out from the entire tribal areas and Taliban prisoners are should be the government.

“We cannot move forward unless the government accepts these two demands. It must take steps which can develop an atmosphere of trust and can remove the doubts and suspicion,” Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid has said.

Pakistan’s newly elected government has been favouring talks with Taliban to end insurgency in the country. The government had an All Party Meeting recently in which all political parties urged Pakistan government to initiate dialogue with TTP. This has not gone well with the people, who have lost their near and dear ones in militant attack. They have termed it surrender and instead urged Pakistan security forces to crush militancy with iron hand.

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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk Pakistan News

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