- Pakistan Army exercising restraint in order to uphold ceasefire, defence minister tells NA
Briefing the National Assembly on progress into the Shikarpur carnage investigation, Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Friday claimed headway in the enquiry, saying that both the bomber and mastermind of the attack have been identified.
The minister refused to further reveal details about the attack investigation due to the sensitivity of the issue, however emphasised that the state machinery was working round the clock in collaboration with provincial governments to probe the attack.
PESHAWAR ATTACK:
About the December 16, 2014 militant attack in Peshawar, the minister said that both Pakistan and Afghanistan were working together to bring the perpetrators to justice. In a “historic cooperation” between the two neighboring countries, the law enforcers have carried out several joint operations in border areas, he added.
“Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif went to Kabul soon after the militant attack after which the Afghan forces, ISAF and Pakistan jointly carried out operations. Coordination between the two neighbours has been great; better than before. I want to assure the families of the victims that we cannot forget the terror incidents and we will never forget,” he said, adding that the entire nation, politicians and armed forces were united to put an end to terrorism in Pakistan.
Refuting some media reports, the minister claimed that all the attackers of Peshawar school were killed by the security forces and none could flee.
KEEPING IT QUIET ALONG LOC:
Moreover, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif informed the assembly Friday that Pakistan Army is maintaining high level of vigilance and exercising restraint in order to uphold ceasefire and tranquility along Line of Control and Working Boundary between India and Pakistan.
He said that ceasefire violations by Indian troops between September and October last year not only resulted into military and civilian casualties but also raised tensions between India and Pakistan particularly along the Working Boundary.
