Pakistan’s military on Thursday said it has halted Islamic State’s attempts to expand in the country, arresting more than 300 people, including some Syrians, who were involved in plotting attacks on government, diplomatic and civilian targets.
The comments were rare acknowledgment by a senior Pakistani official that Islamic State, mainly based in Syria and Iraq, has had any active presence in a country that is home to myriad militant groups including the Afghan and Pakistan Taliban, al Qaeda and the Haqqani network.
Pak Army Presents Its Report Card on War Against ISIS
Lieutenant General Asim Bajwa, the military’s top spokesman, also rejected US complaints that it was not acting against the Haqqani network, suspected of carrying out suicide bomb attacks in Kabul, saying Pakistan was pursuing an “indiscriminate operation” against all militants.
Pakistani authorities have so far arrested 309 people associated with Islamic State (IS) on its territory, he said.
They tried to make an ingress, and they failed and they have been apprehended so far.Lt General Asim Bajwa, Spokesperson, Pakistan Army
Most of those captured by Pakistan were established Pakistani jihadists who had switched loyalties to Islamic State’s self-proclaimed worldwide caliphate, but about 25 were foreigners including Afghans and some Syrians, he said.
International concern that Islamic State was establishing an operational presence in Pakistan increased after the group said it carried out a suicide bombing at a hospital in the city of Quetta that killed more than 70 people.
No Good or Bad Taliban for Us: Pak Army
The military spokesman also dismissed US concerns that Pakistan has been selectively targeting militant groups on its soil.
There is no concept of good or bad Taliban. Terrorists of all organisations, including Haqqanis, including Afghan Taliban, have been killed and some apprehended ... so if you say that you know actions have not been taken or (are) not being taken, that is wrong.Lt General Asim Bajwa, Spokesperson, Pakistan Army
Bajwa spoke a day after US Secretary of State John Kerry urged Islamabad to push harder against militants hiding within its borders.
The United States has criticised Pakistan for not acting against those groups, and in July, it refused to release $300 million in military disbursements for that reason.
Critics say Pakistan has targeted only militants who attack its own state, not those active in neighbouring Afghanistan and India.
Pak Army Cries Foul on International Criticism
Bajwa criticised international and local security forces in Afghanistan for not sealing the border when the Pakistan army began the latest phase of its military offensive against Pakistan-based militants in July 2014.
Before the operation started, Pakistan had informed all stakeholders at all levels, political, diplomatic, military ... We told them that you will have to take action ... and that did not happen unfortunatelyLt General Asim Bajwa, Spokesperson, Pakistan Army
He also released rare figures on progress in its anti-militant operation, saying more than 3,500 had been killed. He added that 516 soldiers had also been killed.
It is difficult to verify those figures independently, as access to the conflict zone is heavily restricted.
We have paid $106.9 billion (on) this war ... If anyone points a finger at Pakistan or casts an eye of suspicion on Pakistan, they need to know this cost.Lt General Asim Bajwa, Spokesperson, Pakistan Army
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