By Mehr Ispahani
Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad is a war on terror operation launched by Pakistan Army
on 22 February 2017 to eliminate terrorism across Pakistan. The operation is
aimed at eliminating the threat of terrorism and consolidating the gains of
operations made so far. It is further aimed at ensuring the security of
Pakistan's borders. The operation will see active participation from Pakistan
Air Force, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Police and other Civil Armed Forces.
Pak Military has started the campaign after the killing of 88 people in suicide
attack in Sufi DargahLalShahbahKaldar in Sindh province some days before.
The Operation aims to indiscriminately eliminate the residual/latent threat of
terrorism, consolidating the gains made in other military operations, and
further ensuring the security of Pakistan’s borders.
Radd-ul- Fasaad literally means ‘Elimination of discord’.
Pakistan’s Army, Air Force, Navy and all other security and intelligence
agencies would participate in this all-out operation.
A campaign named Zarb-e-Azhab was launched in 2014 by the Pakistani army to
disperse the militants from the North Waziristan region on the
Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
The operation entailed the conduct of Broad Spectrum Security (Counter
Terrorism) operations by Rangers in Punjab, continuation of ongoing operations
across the country and focus on more effective border security management.
Countrywide de-weaponisation and explosive control were also given as additional
objectives of the operation. The National Action Plan was pursued as the
hallmark of this operation.
In the month of February 2017, the terrorist group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar launched
Operation Ghazi with several suicide attacks across Pakistan. Under the general
consensus by some top notch defense analysts, army personnel and general public,
these waive of terrorism is secretly funded by Indian secret intelligence agency
called RAW. According to media, Jammat-ul-Ahrar claimed the responsibility of
these terror attacks and said this is the revenge of Abdul Rashid Ghazi's death
who was shot dead by Pakistan army in Lal Masjid during Operation Sunrise. Soon
Pakistan army's ISPR announced the la unch of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad.
On 23 February 2017, at least 45 suspects were arrested in Rawalpindi and
Islamabad. Joint operations were conducted in Westridge, DhokeHassu and Bakery
Chowk area of Cantt. The Frontier Corps (FC) and intelligence agencies foiled a
major terror plot near Loralai, Balochistan. The security forces recovered 23
Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) during the joint targeted operation.
On 26 February 2017, the apex committee of Punjab decided to expedite ongoing
operation against terrorists across the province. The ISPR said that at least
four terrorists were killed and more than 600 suspects detained in over 200
raids conducted by the Rangers across Punjab. The raids were conducted in
various parts of Punjab, including Karor, Layyah and Rawalpindi.
On June 15, 2014 Operation Zarb-e-Azb was started aimed at rooting out menace of
terrorism.
The security situation was very precarious when the present government took
power. The mosques, churches, markets and other places had become soft targets
of the terrorists.
The operation was launched in phases and people were provided opportunity to be
shifted to safe areas. The terrorists’ hideouts were destroyed in Shawal and
many operations were carried out in FATA and Swat for establishing writ of the
government with sacrifices of the troops. While in Operation RaadulFassad Law
enforcement agencies have apprehended dozens of suspects including Afghan
nationals during search operation conducted across the following a recent wave
of terror.
Sindh Rangers have also arrested ten criminals including terrorists of a banned
outfit during raids in various parts of the city. Arms, ammunition and narcotics
were also recovered from them.
Operation Radd-ul-Fasad has been announced as a continuation of the National
Action Plan (NAP).
Major military operations carried out by armed forces against local and foreign
militants in the recent past:
• Operation Rah-i-Haq-I in Swat valley and Shangla district (2007)
• Operation Rah-i-Haq-II in Swat valley and Shangla (2008)
• Operation Sirat-i-Mustaqeem in Khyber Agency (2008)
• Operation Sherdil jointly launched with Frontier Corps in Bajaur Agency (2008)
• Operation Rah-i-Haq-III in Swat valley and Shangla (2009)
• Operation Black Thunderstorm in Buner, Lower Dir and Shangla district (2009)
• Operation Brekhna in Mohmand Agency (2009)
• Operation Rah-i-Rast, commonly known as Swat Operation, (2009)
• Operation Rah-i-Nijat in South Waziristan (2009)
• Operation Zarb-i-Azb in North Waziristan along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border
(2014)
• Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad across the country (2017)
Previously, after the fatal attack of APS Peshawar Pakistan military executed
operation Zarb e Azb with full momentum and the positive outcomes of that
operation were quite visible. The nation believes in the strength of our valiant
forces and we also hope that our forces will achieve the ends by eradicating the
discord from the land of peace. Pakistan army has support of people against all
the odds and nation stands with them no matter what.
Security forces have arrested nineteen suspects during a search operation in
different cities of Punjab under ongoing Operation Raad-ul-Fassad.
A huge cache of ammunition and weapons also recovered during operation.
Punjab Rangers conducted over 200 search operations in various areas, including
Karor, Layyah, and Rawalpindi.
During the operation suspected houses, Madrassas and shops were searched.
Four terrorists got killed in exchange of fire, while over 600 suspects,
including few Afghan nationals, have been apprehended.
Jihadi material and weapons have been recovered and few facilitators of
Jamaat-ul–Ahrar also arrested.
COAS Gen QamarJavedBajwa Thursday said each drop of nation’s blood shall be
revenged, and revenged immediately.The army chief said, “Recent terrorist acts
are being executed on directions from hostile powers and from sanctuaries in
Afghanistan. We shall defend and respond.”
General QamarJaved appealed to the nation to stay calm.
“Your security forces shall not allow hostile powers to succeed. We stand for
our nation. “We have to show our enemy that we are a united as a nation with
spirit and vigor and we have determination to fight any kind of challenges.