No militant will be allowed to attack from Pak soil: Imran

Islamabad, Mar 8: Days after his government announced a sweeping crackdown on militant outfits, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said no militant group would be allowed to operate on Pak soil to carry out attacks abroad.
“This government will not allow Pakistan’s land to be used for any kind of outside terrorism,” Khan said while addressing a rally in southern Pakistan. “God willing, you will see that a new era is emerging,” he said.
India has been skeptical about Pakistan’s latest steps to dismantle militant groups, with Indian officials calling the action cosmetic. However, Khan said there was a huge desire to build a peaceful and stable Pakistan. “We will not allow any militant group to function in our country now,” he said.
Pakistan is under international pressure to take action against proscribed groups responsible for carrying out terror activities.
In the wake of February 14 Pulwama attack, Pakistan began a crackdown on groups this week amid growing international pressure. The attack which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF men was claimed by Pakistan-based group Jaish-e-Mohammed.
The Pulwama attack led to an escalation of tension between India and Pakistan as the Indian Air Force launched airstrikes at a camp in Pakistan’s Balakot. Pakistani Army also retaliated the next the by targeting military installations but no damage was done. However, it led to an aerial dogfight between the jets of two countries.
On Monday, Pakistan announced a new crackdown against militants and by Thursday, 182 religious schools run by banned groups had been seized, and more than 120 people detained.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Kashmir Monitor staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)