"Festival of Peace": Fruit of unparalleled sacrifices of Pak Army!

 

    Khyber (Agency) has historically been one of the most important tribal districts in Pakistan. After the US occupation of Afghanistan in 2001, the tribal districts of Pakistan via Afghanistan were made the hub of terrorist groups under the auspices of anti-Pakistan forces including the US and India to create a storm of terrorism across Pakistan. The war on Pakistan, waged in the form of terrorism to attack Pakistan's security, was so well-coordinated and so well-organized that American think tanks and veterans, in their comments, kept confirming Pakistan's failure. The main reason for their comments in this regard was the abundance of modern automatic weapons in the possession of terrorists. They had all kinds of weapons to fight on the rest of the land, but the biggest weapon of the terrorists was the suicide attacks in which human beings were armed with explosives and sent to hospitals, mosques, houses, and places of worship of minorities in the crowded markets. Military and civilian centers, leisure centers, and, above all, educational institutions, especially schools for innocent children, have been targeted for bombings, and explosive-laden vehicles have crashed into important buildings and wreaked havoc. The aspect was that the time and target for the suicide bombings were chosen by the terrorists themselves, the terrorists were in the form of the common people within the people, and it was almost impossible to identify them. In addition, under the military strategy, the terrorists hid their suicide bombers in densely populated areas across the country, with the tribal districts as cantonment centers. They were used in a timely manner and a large number of Blackwater or US mercenaries in the form of diplomats were active in Pakistan.

    The war was undoubtedly a major test for the military's intelligence agencies and the ISI, as Pakistan's security agencies were also targeted by terrorists. The Pakistan Army accepted this challenge and then the whole world saw that the safe havens were found in the densely populated areas of terrorists across the country while ensuring the safety of the people at all costs and were neutralized. It was not easy for the intelligence agencies, but they made the impossible possible. In such operations, many intelligence officers and soldiers sacrificed their lives and their sacrifices opened the door to success in the war. When the Pakistan Army launched the operation, it was a surprise to defense experts around the world that at the height of difficult mountains where a person trained with modern weapons of mass destruction is heavier than the attacking 50 soldiers. The indifferent Pak army, devoted to the cause of martyrdom for the survival and protection of the country and the nation, attacked the banker-like hideouts of the terrorists which were considered invincible in such a manner that if a soldier or an officer was martyred immediately, the other would have taken its place and continued to advance. Thus, the Pakistan Army made a new history by sacrificing its life if we look at the proportion of martyrdom of soldiers and officers during the war on terror in Pakistan. Against 8 soldiers an officer was martyred in this war on terror showing that our officers did not sit behind in the operations against terrorists. Which is unparalleled in the wars fought around the world. It was the fruit of our forces' sacrifices that wiped out the terrorists in the tribal districts and destroyed their hideouts.

    During the war on terror, the area of ​​Khyber remained under the complete control of terrorists. The area was under the control of Lashkar-e-Islam, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. Led by Omar Khalid Khorasani, Mangal Bagh and Fazlullah. There were four operations against terrorists at different times from 2014 to 2017. The operation in Tirah Valley was very difficult due to its location. But it is also a fact that the Tirah Valley is one of the most beautiful lush mountains in the world. There, for many years, the terrorists kept the carnage hot. The area of ​​Tirah Valley was once considered a paradise for tourists because of its lush green mountains, valleys, springs, and streams. Making hell for many years because of terrorism. After the last successful operation in 2017, the Pakistan Army started the process of reconstruction and rehabilitation there and today, once again, the beauty of Tirah Valley and its traditional festivals are beginning to spread.

    The organization of such a festival in Tirah Valley under the name of "Bagh-e-Aman Mela" jointly organized by Pakistan Army and district administration is a message from Pakistan to the whole world that the war against terrorism under the guise of global colonial powers. Tried to target Pakistan's security and for this pushed the tribal areas into the fire of terrorism, those areas are once again appearing with all their beauty. The opening of Bagh-e-Aman Mela on May 23, 2022, in Tirah Valley is a case in point. Ready to grow. The festival started with the national anthem of Pakistan. On this occasion children waved the flag of Pakistan, the closing ceremony was also visible in which the band entertained the audience with their beautiful melodies. Children dressed in colorful costumes presented at different tables. Apart from cricket, volleyball, tug-of-war and horse riding, guests from local and other areas continued to enjoy a variety of sports at the festival. Other regional dances were also performed. The highlight of the festival was paragliding and power gliding. Local elders thanked the Pakistan Army for organizing the festival and demanded that the series be extended to other tribal districts. ۔ The festival ended on May 25 with beautiful memories after three days of color scattering. The closing ceremony was attended by senior civil and military officials as well as tribal district chiefs and other guests from various walks of life. Happiness was especially visible in this children's festival.

Urdu Copy

 

Written by Khalid Baig,

Published in Daily Nawa-i-Waqt,

Date: 30 May 2022.