Pak Army ready to launch ‘decisive operation’ to crush Taliban : Kayani

September 24th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani has said the military is close to winning the war against terrorism. Addressing troops during his visit to South Wazirisitan and Tank, General Kayani said the strategy adopted by the army during its all out operation against the extremists in the region together with the people's support has helped security forces dismantle the terror network.

September 4th, 2009 RAWALPINDI - The Pakistan Army is determined chase the Taliban till the very end, and would continue its offensive against the extremists until they are rooted out from the country, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani has said. Speaking at a function after inaugurating a rehabilitation centre for young Taliban recruits, General Kayani said 'Operation Rah-e-Rast', being carried out in the Swat and the Malakand Divisions, has broken the back of extremists.

August 19th, 2009 NEW YORK - The United States is pushing Pakistan to continue operation against Taliban in the wake of reported death of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Baitullah Mehsud. However, senior American administration officials believe that Islamabad is still caught between a 'clear' and 'hold' situation when it comes to Swat and Waziristan.

July 27th, 2009 RAWALPINDI - The US commander of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, Lt General Stanley McChrystal, visited Pakistan to address the army's concerns over a possible Taliban spill-over from the Helmand operation. Sources said McChrystal arrived in Rawalpindi around 11 a.m.

July 4th, 2009 RAWALPINDI - Pakistan Chief of Army Staff , General Ashfaq Kayani has said that the internal threat facing the country was more threatening than the external, and that it needed immediate attention. "While external threats continue to exist, it is the internal threat to Pakistan that needs immediate attention," The Daily Times quoted Kayani, as saying.

July 4th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Army has named Maj. Gen. Ashfaq Nadeem to command the Swat operation against the Taliban, a media report said Saturday.

June 26th, 2009 RAWALPINDI - The Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani has said that the security forces would certainly be able to establish control over the region captured by the Taliban and other militants, as the army is "executing a campaign plan" to achieve its target without much collateral damage. Addressing security personnel in South Waziristan where the army has launched an extensive operation against the Tehreek-e-Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud, General Kayani stressed that the insurgents would be eliminated, and the government's writ would be re-established in the region soon.

June 15th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan government has asked the Army to carry out an all out offensive to hunt down the Tehreek-e-Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud, and Mehsud tribes. Addressing a press conference, the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) Governor, Awais Ghani, said that a comprehensive military operation would be launched against Mehsud for harbouring terrorists, and killing innocent people.

June 15th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - At least 31 militants have been killed in latest operations carried out by the Pakistani security forces in northwest Pakistan, officials said Monday. The army said in a statement that in the 24 hours to Monday evening at least 31 militants have been killed and 50 others wounded in operations carried out in different parts of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and in South Waziristan tribal agency.

June 15th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani has said that the military operation against the Taliban and other extremists in the Malakand and Swat region was launched to bring those people back on track who had deviated from their path due to certain circumstances. General Kayani said the operation has aptly been named 'Rah-e-Rast' which means the 'right track'.

June 5th, 2009 RAWALPINDI - Pakistan's Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani has said that the military had "decisively turned the tide" against the Taliban in Swat and adjoining districts. "The tide in Swat has decisively turned and major population centres and roads leading to the valley have been largely cleared of organised resistance by the Taliban," said General Kayani while addressing the 119th Corps Commanders' Conference at General Headquarters.

June 3rd, 2009 ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Army would need to stay in the Swat Valley for at least a year after its operation against the Taliban in the region is accomplished, in order to prevent the extremists from resurfacing again, a senior Army official has said. Major General Ijaz Awan, who is commanding the military's Swat offensive, said the army would have to stay in the valley for at least another year so that peace and security could be re-established.

May 13th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani has asked the security forces to ensure minimum loss of life of civilians in the Swat operation. General Kayani instructed the Army to plan their movement tactfully with precision strikes, so that little collateral damage is done, The News reports.

May 1st, 2009 LONDON - US Central Command chief General David Petraeus has said that the next two weeks would be decisive to ascertain the stability of the Pakistan Government. According to Fox News, General Petraeus told US officials that Pakistan has run out of excuses, and are "finally getting serious" about the countering the existential threat that the Taliban and Al-Qaeda poses.

April 24th, 2009 RAWALPINDI - Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, on Friday said the Army is determined to root out the menace of terrorism from the region. General Kayani further said the Army would fully support the civilian government in its fight against militancy.