Corps commanders say airstrikes may continue: sources

ISLAMABAD: A meeting of the corps commanders, chaired by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif, on Friday decided that airstrikes on militant hideouts would continue in the event of future attacks on military installations, DawnNews quoted sources as saying. The meeting was briefed on goals achieved by surgical strikes against militant hideouts in North Waziristan. It also expressed satisfaction over successful airstrikes on the hideouts in retaliation to a spate of deadly terrorist attacks in the country. According to military sources, the meeting also focused on the country’s internal security issues as well as on professional matters relating to the military. The meeting is also scheduled to discuss the selection of military representatives for negotiations with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), sources added. Gen Sharif is also expected to take the corps commanders into confidence over his visit to the United Arab Emirates. Today’s meeting has been called at a time when the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has decided to continue with peace process that it started with Pakistani Taliban militants last month.