Corps commanders confab terms strikes ‘unnecessary escalation’, spoiling mediation efforts
A drone view of people gathering at the site of damage in a residential neighbourhood following Iranian missile barrages in central Israel. PHOTO: REUTERS
RAWALPINDI:
The military’s top brass on Tuesday strongly condemned the recent Iranian attacks on Saudi Arabia’s petrochemical and industrial complexes, terming them an “unnecessary escalation” that threatened to spoil mediation efforts to bring the Mideast crisis to an end.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a news release that the 274th Corps Commanders’ Conference, chaired by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters (GHQ) echoed the call for restraint, dialogue and de-escalation.
“The forum noted with concern and vehemently condemned latest attacks on KSA’s petrochemical and industrial complex as an unnecessary escalation which spoils sincere efforts to resolve the conflict through peaceful means,” the ISPR news release read.
“The forum noted that restrain and calibration so far exhibited by KSA, despite grave provocations, enabled mediation and diplomatic resolution, however, such unwarranted aggressions have serious repercussions, to spoil the ongoing peaceful options and conducive environment,” it added.
The forum appreciated the government’s efforts to bring an end to the war in the Middle East and echoed the call for restraint, dialogue and de-escalation, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to “principled diplomacy and constructive engagement”.
The military leadership reiterated Pakistan’s role as a responsible regional stakeholder, actively contributing to peace and stability as a “regional security stabiliser”.
The forum also undertook a comprehensive review of the prevailing internal and external security environment and reaffirmed that all terrorists would be pursued and eliminated.
“All terrorist proxies operating at the behest of India and other external sponsors, along with their facilitators and abettors, will be pursued relentlessly and without exception,” the ISPR said.
It further said the pace of Operation Ghazab Lil Haq would be maintained until the elimination of terrorist safe havens and the use of Afghan soil against Pakistan were decisively brought to an end.
The participants categorically rejected “persistent disinformation, baseless allegations, and false-flag narratives attributed to India, noting that such tactics stand discredited internationally.
They also expressed concern over continued human rights violations by Indian authorities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), and noted a recent spate of “fake encounters” at various locations to cover up extrajudicial killings.
In his concluding remarks, Field Marshal Asim Munir directed commanders to maintain the “highest standards of operational readiness, professionalism and adaptability”, while expressing “full confidence in the armed forces’ ability to counter all forms of threats and ensure Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
The participants also offered prayers for the martyrs of the armed forces, law-enforcement agencies and innocent civilians, while paying tribute to their sacrifices. Field Marshal Asim expressed satisfaction and commended the security forces for their “unwavering professionalism, operational excellence and steadfast commitment” towards the country’s defence.
“Through the synergy of the government, armed forces and the people, Pakistan continues to consolidate security gains, strengthen economic resilience, and enhance its regional and global standing,” he said, according to the ISPR.
