Fight against militants in most difficult phase: General Raheel Sharif

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif today said that fight against militants has entered its most difficult phase in the country's troubled region.

"We are in the most difficult phase of the operation after successfully evicting terrorists from their sanctuaries and restoring the writ of the state," Gen Sharif said.

Speaking at a meeting of special provincial committee to deal with terrorism, he elaborated that rebuilding the war-hit areas, resettling displaced persons and establishing an administrative system that focuses on the needs and aspirations of the people will be the most demanding task.

The meeting held here focused on the return of temporary displaced persons and the ongoing military operations and intelligence-based operations against militants.

Gen Sharif also paid tribute to the resilience and sacrifices rendered by the people of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas ( FATA) and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The meeting was attended by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor, the chief minister, Peshawar corps commander and senior officials from the state and FATA.

Pakistan army launched Zarb-e-Azb operation in June 2014 and the military crackdown displaced thousands of people while expelling the militants also from the area.

The phase return of displaced people is going on slowly, drawing criticism from the people.