Army's stay in Islamabad extended for another three months
Around 350 soldiers have been deployed in various parts of Islamabad since August 2014.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – The federal government has extended army’s stay in Islamabad for another three months to aid civilian-law enforcement agencies in securing the capital city, Dunya News reported.
Around 350 soldiers have been deployed in various parts of Islamabad since August 2014 to secure main offices of the judiciary, Parliament, Presidency, Prime Minister House, foreign office and other sensitive installations.
The troops were deployed under Article 245 of the Constitution keeping in view the expected retaliation to ongoing anti-terrorism operation (Zarb-e-Azb) in the North Waziristan tribal region.
The notification regarding extension in army’s stay was issued by Chief Commissioner Zulfiqar Haider on a summary forwarded by the Ministry of Interior as the deadline for troops’ stay in Islamabad was about to expire on March 8, 2016.
During their stay, army men are working in close coordination with the police, Rangers and administration to ensure foolproof security in the capital.
Islamabad launched a military offensive in the tribal areas in mid-June 2014 that has reportedly killed thousands of militants and pushed the rest over the border to Afghanistan, resulting in improved security inside Pakistan.
However, insurgents associated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) occasionally carry out attacks from bases inside Afghanistan.
