Over 500 security operations since peace talks stalled in Pakistan

Pakistan Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Wednesday said over 500 operations have been carried out against militants with the help of intelligence agencies since the peace talks with terrorists stalled in June last year, media reported.

Addressing the National Assembly Wednesday, the minister said a number of extremely nefarious plans have been foiled, Geo News reported.

Had the terrorists succeeded, the consequences for the country would have been disastrous, the minister added.

He went on to say that the country was confronting the challenge of terrorism since 13 years and initially the government tried to negotiate through peace talks with the terrorists, but was responded to by attacks.

The minister also said that the lack of a positive response led to extensive operations.

He further added that there has been a significant decrease in terrorist attacks and that most of the terrorists' leadership has now fled Pakistan across the borders.

Only terrorists who stood up against the country and refused to disarm themselves would be tried in military courts while the rest of the cases relating to terrorism would be sent to civilian courts, the minister explained.

He also made clear that no organisation would be included in the banned outfit list on the behest of the US or India.

The Pakistani army launched Operation Zarb-e-Azb against tghe militants after an attack on Karachi airport in June last year.