2016 to see end of terror: General Raheel

Islamabad - Army chief okays death for 9 terrorists; meets Baloch elders in Gwadar

Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Friday said 2016 will be the year of unity and elimination of terror from the country.
"With the support of the nation, we will root out terrorism, crime and corruption and will make peace and justice prevail in the country," the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) quoted the army chief as saying.
He went on to say that nexus of terrorism, crime and corruption would be broken.
General Raheel visited Talar and Turbat districts of Balochistan province before arriving at Gwadar where he held discussions with Baloch elders.
The army chief's statement comes just hours after the military's media wing, ISPR, announced that General Raheel confirmed death sentences for nine terrorists convicted by military courts.
"The hardcore terrorists were involved in committing heinous offences relating to terrorism, including attack on Parade Lane Mosque, Inter-Services Intelligence Headquarters, Multan, attacks on law enforcement agencies, kidnapping and killing civilians in Lahore. These convicts were tried by the military courts," the statement said.
Among the convicts Mohammed Ghauri was an active member of the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taleban Pakistan (TTP) and TTP media cell in-charge. Ghauri was involved in an attack on Parade Lane Mosque, Rawalpindi, which resulted in the death of 38 people and injuries to 57 others. Abdul Qayyum was an active member of the TTP. He was involved in terrorist acts and attacks on law enforcers, killing and injuring soldiers. He admitted his offences before the magistrate and the trial court.
Asghar Ali was an active member of Al Qaeda. He was involved in an attack on security personnel by using fire-arms which resulted in death and injuries to soldiers.
Abdul Rauf Gujjar, Mohammed Hashim, Sulaman S/O Boneer, Shafqat Farooqi Ali and Mohammed Farhan were active members of the banned Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP). They were involved in killing civilians in Lahore.
The Pakistan Army is currently carrying out a military operation, code named Zarb-e-Azb, against militants in its northwestern region. Officials claim that over 3,000 militants have been killed since the launch of the offensive in June 2014 with authorities vowing to intensify operations both in the border regions and across the country.
Around 3,400 militants were killed during the past year in the Zarb-e-Azb operation.
Zarb-e-Azb does seem to have had a positive impact on militant attacks, which have been down overall, with some shocking exceptions, such as the December massacre by Taleban gunmen of more than 130 children at an army school in Peshawar.
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