Yemen conflict dangerous for region: Pak military

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's powerful army today said that continuation of the conflict in Yemen will have serious implications for regional security, on a day when the country's parliament voted unanimously against military involvement in the war-torn country.

The 181st Corps Commanders' Conference was held at General Headquarters. General Raheel Sharif, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), presided over the conference.

According to a statement by the army, the participants of the conference dwelt on professional matters, operational preparedness of the army and internal and external security situation of the country.

They also discussed the Yemen conflict and its impact on the region.

"The forum deliberated at length on the gravity of the situation and stressed that continuation of the conflict will have serious implications for regional security," said the statement.

Addressing the forum, the army chief expressed complete satisfaction over the major gains recently achieved in ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb against militants in the northwest.

He directed the commanders to maintain focus on achieving the end objective of total elimination of terrorism from across the country by coordinating with law enforcement and other government agencies.

"Intelligence-based operations must be further intensified to unearth terrorist sleeper cells, and apprehend hiding terrorists and their abettors from urban centres as well," he said.

He also expressed his satisfaction over initiation of dignified return of displaced people to tribal regions. He directed all concerned to make the return smooth and enduring.

"The eventual purpose of the operations is to ensure stability leading to normalcy and prosperity in accordance with the aspirations of the people of FATA," he said.

Operation Zarb-e-Azb launched last year in June had displaced about one million people and now after expelling the militants from the tribal districts, the government has started repatriation of displaced people.