Kashmir Pakistan’s ‘jugular vein’: army chief

Islamabad, May 1

Pakistan Army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif has said Kashmir was Islamabad’s “jugular vein” and it was an international dispute over which UN resolutions existed, the media reported Thursday.

Addressing a ceremony at the army headquarters in Rawalpindi Wednesday, he said the resolutions were crucial for peace and stability in the region, Geo News said.

The military chief also said that the army supported every effort directed towards elimination of terrorism.

Gen. Sharif said the army was keeping an eye on both internal and external challenges and added it had the capability to deal with “dangers”.

“Fortunate are those among us who embraced ‘shahadat’ (martyrdom),” he was quoted as saying, referring to soldiers killed in action.

“We, as a nation, will continue to stand with their families.

“The Pakistan Army will continue to play its role towards the progress of prosperity of the country.”

The army chief also extended support to talks between the government and the Taliban for putting an end to terrorism and restoring peace in the country.

He asked the militants to accept the constitution, Xinhua reported.

The government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is involved in a dialogue with the Taliban but no progress has been made.

“It is our desire that all elements active against Pakistan (must) unconditionally accept the constitution and the law and return to national mainstream,” Gen. Sharif told the gathering.

Relatives of slain security forces attended the function.

“The armed forces of Pakistan and the people are capable of bringing the the anti-state elements to task,” Gen. Sharif said.

Thousands of security personnel have been killed in terror attacks and military operations in the tribal regions of Pakistan in recent years. The Pakistani Taliban are fighting the security forces.

On Wednesday, a Taliban bomb attack killed several soldiers in South Waziristan.

(IANS)