Swat offensive aims to bring deviated people back on track : Kayani

September 6th, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani has said the Pakistan Air Force and the Army have achieved 'significant successes' against the Taliban and other extremist groups in their offensive in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP). Interacting with media persons during Pakistan Air Force (PAF) war exercises, 'Saffron Bandit 2009-10, General Kayani commended the PAF for its support to the ground troops during the military offensive in Swat and Malakand Divisions.

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.

July 5th, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the offensive against the Taliban and other extremist groups being carried out in the Swat and Malakand Divisions would be concluded only when the region is completely sanitized. Zardari met Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, and Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani here to discuss issues relating to the security situation in the country including the ongoing campaign against Taliban in Swat, Malakand and FATA.

July 5th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - The commanding officer of the Swat offensive, Major General Ijaz Awan has been removed from the post. He has been replaced by Major General Ashfaq Nadeem, as the Army is preparing for a final assault in the region.

July 2nd, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the military offensive against the Taliban would continue until all the extremists are rooted out from the country. "The fight against militancy and terrorism will end with the complete elimination of militants," Zardari said during a meeting with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani here.

June 15th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistani Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani Monday flew a combat mission against the Taliban, riding as the co-pilot in an F-16 jet for an aerial overview of the offensive against the militants in the country's restive northwest. In doing so, he became the first army chief to fly in an F-16 jet.

June 5th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Army will stay on in Swat to hunt down high value targets and clear the remaining hideouts and sanctuaries of terrorists in the valley. Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani stated this while addressing the 119th Corps Commanders' Conference at General Headquarters on Thursday.

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.

May 16th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - The military operation is not enough to restore peace in Pakistan's troubled areas, but a political dimension is needed to attain a permanent solution, Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has said. "I am well aware that the army operation is not a permanent solution to our problems, and political dimensions need to be incorporated to reach a consensus for lasting peace in the troubled areas," The Daily Times quoted Gilani, as saying.

May 14th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistani Army chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani Thursday paid a surprise visit to Swat in the country's troubled northwest where the security forces are engaged in an offensive against the Taliban that has so far resulted in the deaths of more than 800 militants.

May 14th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistani Army chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani Thursday paid a surprise visit to Swat in the country's troubled northwest where the security forces are engaged in an offensive against the Taliban that has so far resulted in the deaths of more than 800 militants.

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 8th, 2009 RAWALPINDI - Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Kayani has said the Army would mobilise all available resources to launch a 'decisive operation' to crush and flush out the Taliban from North West Frontier Province (NWFP). "The Pakistan Army will employ requisite resources to ensure a decisive ascendancy over the Taliban," The Daily Times quoted General Kayani, as saying at the 118th corps commanders' conference held at the General Headquarters (GHQ).

April 24th, 2009 RAWALPINDI - Worried by the increasing threat perception from the Taliban and questions being raised over the Army's capability and willingness to thwart the challenge, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has said that the military is fully prepared and committed to take on the challenge. Addressing an operational meeting at the General Headquarters here, General Kayani said he is aware of the doubts being raised over the intent of the security forces of the country, and clarified that his forces would not hesitate to retaliate.

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.