The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Thursday pledged to launch a crackdown on “all” terrorists, as a meeting of the provincial Apex Committee assured representatives of the Bannu Aman Jirga that Azm-e-Istekham did not entail a kinetic military operation in the province.
Chaired by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, the apex committee meeting was attended by senior civil, police and military officials. According to a statement issued after the meeting, its participants discussed various matters related to terrorism and the Bannu incident of last week, in which at least four people were killed and several others injured after a peace protest turned violent.
Stressing that terrorism in all its forms was condemnable, the provincial government vowed to launch a crackdown, stressing that police had been directed to arrest and take action against any armed person who did not represent the government. Noting the military had already clarified that Azm-e-Istehkam referred to a national counter-terrorism drive, it said police would also act against the offices of militants without any discrimination. These actions, it emphasized, would be conducted by law-enforcement agencies, including police and the counter-terrorism department. The Army, it said, would only assist in areas where police were unable to act.
According to the statement, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government would approach the judiciary to initiate a judicial inquiry into the Bannu incident. It said the CTD would take action against “suspected seminaries and areas” in line with the jirga’s demands, adding police had been directed to ensure round-the-clock patrols.
The statement also urged residents of Bannu to shun lawlessness and violent protests, recalling that the armed forces, police and the public had all rendered “unforgettable” sacrifices for the elimination of terrorism. People, it urged, should abide by the law and code of conduct by refraining from any “propaganda” that might harm the sentiments of martyrs’ families. It noted that certain elements had sought to target state institutions after the Bannu incident, stressing the unjustifiable criticism had offended the ranks and files of the forces. “This behavior is impermissible,” it added.