Kayani says Taliban militants would be wiped out

Earlier,addressing PAF personnel at the airbase at Sargodha in Punjab,army chief Kayani said over 100 soldiers had lost their lives in the campaign against terrorists and their sacrifices would not go in vain as the militants would be completely wiped out. He said the military operation in Swat and Malakand was launched to “bring misguided people back to the right track”. These misguided elements have nothing to do with Islam and Pakistan and they were instead maligning the religion and creating problems for the country,he said. Kayani said Pakistan did not need advice from other others about conducting the ongoing operation.

However,Kayani said the operation is not a solution to the problem and a solution will be hammered out in accordance with the traditions and culture of the tribal areas. Utmost care is being taken to avoid civilian casualties in the operation,he added. The Army chief announced that salaries of troops engaged in fighting militants in the NWFP would be enhanced from July,while others will receive the benefit from January next year. PAF chief Suleman said his force had destroyed hideouts and training camps of the terrorists during strikes. The terrorists were targeting children,elders and scholars and trying to impose their philosophy on the country,he said.