RAWALPINDI (Web Desk): Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday said that the attack on madrassa reflects enmity with Islam and the terrorists have no religion.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the COAS visited Upper Dir and Malakand Division where he was given detailed briefing on border management and stabilization process.
Corps Commander Peshawar Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood received Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa.
Speaking on the occasion, the Army Chief appreciated the work done on border fencing in rocky and difficult areas. He said that the border management system is a true reflection of the country’s commitment to peace.
The COAS also paid tribute to the efforts of the soldiers for peace in the region. He urged the armed forces soldiers to remain vigilant in the wake of recent terrorism.
Later, the COAS visited Lady Reading hospital and inquired about the health of those wounded in Peshawar madrassa blast.
The army chief said we will not take backseat till we take terrorists and their facilitators to the task, adding that he came to express solidarity and commitment, especially to share grief of the seminary students, teachers and their families.
He said innocent children of Army Public School Peshawar were targeted on 16 December 2014 and on yesterday the enemy once again organized blood bath at the seminary students to again fulfill its nefarious designs and repeat the black history.
The COAS said majority of these children were of Afghan origin. He said in past, the entire nation had demonstrated unprecedented unity in rejecting terrorists narrative and today also we are one under same passion and sentiments. He said our grief was common yesterday and even today it is same. He said the nation had rejected the enemy and defeated terrorist narrative in past and we are united to face this menace jointly.
He went on to say that Pakistan and Afghanistan have been facing terrorism for last two decades, adding that Pakistanis opened their hearts and doors for their refugee brethren. He said we have common bad and good times as peace in Pakistan and Afghanistan is interlinked.
“Terrorism has no religion and spreading fear in society is the sole ideology of terrorists,” he said and added attack on Madrassa reflects enmity with Islam. Madrassas, mosques, Imam Bargahs, temples, churches, educational institutions, law enforcement agencies and innocent citizens became victims of terrorists. He said Pakistan has always been desirous of peace in Afghanistan and will continue extending its cooperation in this regard. He urged Afghan refugees to remain watchful of forces of enemy so that they cannot be used either intentionally or unintentionally for terrorist activities.