DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar affirmed yesterday that terrorists had already lost the war, highlighting the nation’s steadfast resilience against this menace and assuring the media of preparedness to deliver a fitting response to terrorism.

The remarks came a day after a group of six terrorists targeted a security forces’ check post in the Daraban general area in the DI Khan district. The assailants attempted to breach the post, leading to a thwarted attack that culminated in an explosive-laden vehicle being rammed into the post, followed by a suicide bombing.

The military’s media wing stated, “The resulting blasts led to the collapse of the building, causing multiple casualties; 23 brave soldiers embraced shahadat, while all six terrorists were effectively engaged and sent to hell.” The Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan (TJP), affiliated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the attack.

“I want to tell the perpetrators that you have already lost the war. Only the declaration is yet to be made and the time is yet to be finalised. They are fighting a lost war and we are fighting a war already won by us, Alhamdulillah,” he said while talking to the media at the Combined Military Hospital after inquiring about the health of the soldiers injured in the terrorist attack.

Expressing amazement at the soldiers’ strong conviction to continue the fight even while injured, he asserted that those supporting the war against terrorism would stand victorious in this world and the hereafter. He mentioned that terrorists, having destroyed their lives, would rot in hell after death. The prime minister told the media that the Ulema stood with the state, peace and the whole society.

“With whom they (terrorists) are fighting? Do they want to frighten us with death? No one will be scared. They should fulfil the desire to fight us for any desired duration,” he remarked. The premier said that the state was pursuing an unyielding policy of no surrender and no retreat, adding that thousands of people had already sacrificed their lives in the war against terrorism and thousands more were ready to join the course.

“If they carry out one attack, we will march 10 steps ahead. If they take 10 steps, we will advance by 100 steps. This is the war of the winners and we are with the winners, here in this world and the life hereafter,” he commented.

He said that the whole nation stood united against terrorism and was resolved to defeat the evil in all of its forms and manifestations, adding that Pakistan was a strong and resilient nation and its armed forces would thwart the nefarious designs of the enemies.

Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Haji Ghulam Ali and K-P Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd) Syed Arshad Hussain Shah accompanied the prime minister.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 14 2023

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