Corps Commanders Conspire Terms and Attack ‘Unnecessary Escalation’, Ruining Mediation Efforts
A drone view of people gathered at the site of damage to a residential neighborhood following Iranian missile strikes in central Israel. PHOTO: REUTERS
RAWALPINDI:
Top military commanders on Tuesday strongly condemned recent Iranian attacks on Saudi Arabia’s petrochemical and industrial complexes, calling them an “unnecessary escalation” that threatened to derail mediation efforts to end the Middle East crisis.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a press release that the 274th Corps Commanders’ Conference, chaired by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ), echoed the call for restraint, dialogue and de-escalation of tensions.
“The forum noted with concern and vehemently condemned the latest attacks on Saudi Arabia’s petrochemical and industrial complex as an unnecessary escalation that derails sincere efforts to resolve the conflict through peaceful means,” the ISPR press release reads.
“The forum noted that the restraint and calibration shown so far by Saudi Arabia, despite serious provocations, enabled mediation and diplomatic resolution; however, such unjustified aggressions have serious repercussions, ruining ongoing peaceful options and enabling environment,” it added.
The forum appreciated the government’s efforts to end the war in the Middle East and echoed the call for moderation, dialogue and reduction of tensions, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to “principled diplomacy and constructive engagement.”
The military leaders reiterated Pakistan’s role as a responsible regional player, actively contributing to peace and stability as a “stabilizer of regional security”.
The forum also carried out a comprehensive review of the prevailing internal and external security environment and reaffirmed that all terrorists would be hunted down and eliminated.
“All terrorist proxies operating at the behest of India and other external sponsors, along with their facilitators and instigators, will be pursued relentlessly and without exception,” the ISPR said.
He further said that the pace of Operation Ghazab Lil Haq would be maintained until the elimination of terrorist safe havens and use of Afghan soil against Pakistan was decisively ended.
The participants categorically rejected “persistent misinformation, baseless accusations and false flag narratives attributed to India, noting that such tactics are discredited internationally.”
They also expressed concern over continued human rights violations by Indian authorities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), pointing to a recent series of “fake encounters” in several places 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 ability of the armed forces to counter all forms of threats and ensure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan”.
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 his satisfaction and praised the security forces for their “unwavering professionalism, operational excellence and steadfast commitment” to the defense of the country.
“Through the synergy of the government, armed forces and people, Pakistan continues to consolidate its security achievements, strengthen its economic resilience and improve its regional and global position,” he said, according to the ISPR.
