About 49,000 killed in Pakistan after 9/11: SC told
Counsel for intelligence agencies presented facts and figures regarding war on terror in apex court.
ISLAMABAD (Agencies): Supreme Court (SC) was told through a report presented by counsel for intelligence agencies and army, Raja Irshad that more than 49,000 persons were killed following the occurrence of 9/11 incident.
A three-member bench of the SC headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry resumed hearing of petition filed by Senator Ibrahim Khan against enforcement of FATA regulations Tuesday.
Counsel for intelligence agencies and army Raja Irshad has filed detailed report based on the causes leading to military operation in FATA, incidents and facts and other details.
It was said in the detailed report that army was deployed in FATA and PATA being their proximity to Afghan border and infiltration of miscreants from across the border of Afghanistan therein. Police powers were assigned to the army which had to face substantial challenges.
Deployment of army had become essential to save Khyber Pashtoonkhawa (KP), report said. Army troops were deployed in 2007-08 and they were assigned powers under Section 241, report added.
Government buildings were targeted, schools were destroyed and life of the people was made miserable. Operation was conducted in Mehsud and other areas. South and North Waziristan are independent areas but they were epicenters of terrorist acts, report said.
People entered into Peshawar from Adam Khel pass and indulged in terrorist activities. Shabqadar and other territories had come under their occupation. The areas of Swat, Dir and Bounir were recovered from their possession. Sectarian riots were going on in Karam agency. Illegal FM Radios were operating therein and their broadcasting was blocked. 24 percent area of FATA and 37 percent areas in Swat were recovered from possession of the terrorists.
It was further said in the report that questions were being raised on the sovereignty of the country and survival of the country was put at stake. Therefore, army was dispatched under section 245.
Militants were numbering over 10 million and they all went underground. More than 400 major operations were carried out during which 681 soldiers were martyred. Over 6000 persons were arrested through search operation.
Report stated, “We are facing problems following 9/11 incident. Security situation was very grim. 49000 people were killed following 9/11 events. Kidnapping for ransom incidents escalated. Such a lashkar was raised under which attempt was made to win over war against sectarianism and terrorism.
Report indicated, “Terrorism was at its peak in 2007-08 and terrorists had reached every nook and corner of the country. Law enforcement agencies succeeded in taking control of their territories after conducting military operations. The rioters targeted key figures in Orakzai Agency in 2010 and the officers were killed through pick and chose method. Anti Pakistan elements were working with impunity. Taliban and other groups were operating and they were collecting donations through kidnapping for ransom incidents. Mosques, Imambargah and churches were not even secure from them. The local population joined hands with the army against the miscreants after 2008 successful operations. Militants in large number were arrested. Several were killed and they all were enemies of Pakistan.
Army is performing duty on borders and is preventing people from crossing the borders. FATA Regulations-2011 was approved in order to harmonize army campaign with law and constitution and civil powers were assigned to army.
Peace was maintained due to military operation and the houses and other destroyed areas were reconstructed. Rescue operations were increased.
Counsel for the intelligence agencies told the court he had such CDs which bore the evidence that miscreants were beheading the civilians and soldiers and they were telling the people that they were meting out such treatment to army personnel.
The court was adjourned for next days.
