Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad entails achievements as well as sacrifices, that were given for peace and prosperity of the country.

Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad commenced on February 22, 2019. According to the operational requirements, tasks were carried out simultaneously all over the country, wherever required.
Concept of the Operation
The foundational aim and objective of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad is to ensure enduring peace in the country. In order to achieve the aforementioned aim, closing down the space for, and capturing terrorists remains the vital element of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad. The operation is a national duty and the people of Pakistan are part and parcel of it. Furthermore, the role of citizens is vital for the cessation of extremism and terrorism in the country.
Commencement of the Operation
The initiation of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad began after the terrorists incurred heavy losses and tried to take refuge in the population centers. Since then, the terrorists started targeting common public and soft targets, owing to which, a grand operation was inevitable. There are two pillars of Radd-ul-Fasaad: (i) ending terrorism; and (ii) countering violent extremism.
Efforts against Terrorism
There are three basic points for operational efforts:
▪ Monopoly of violence only lies with the state and not an individual or a group.
▪ Stability of Pakistan’s western borders through Western Border Management Regime (WBMR).
▪ Uprooting terrorist hideouts from all over the country.
For the betterment of people belonging to the areas affected by terrorism and to counter violent extremism, it is necessary that the operation reaches successful culmination. A better and national ideology can only effectively counter the ideology of violent extremism. To achieve such aims, it is necessary to implement the following:
▪ National Action Plan (NAP).
▪ Bringing tribal areas in to the mainstream.
▪ Supporting government reforms.
Basic Strategy of the Operation
There are four phases of this strategy: clear, hold, build and transfer. During 2010-2017, through big operations, tribal areas were cleared and held for any resurgence of the terrorist to be stopped. Through this operation, the implementation of the final two phases began. It is only through development and uplifting of these areas that operations can be ended successfully. The achievements of the operation were appreciated at the global stage. In the last five years, through Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, different state institutions including Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Military Intelligence (MI), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Frontier Corps (FC), Rangers and Police participated in the operational tasks. Among all the operations, there were some operations which were of vital importance to ensure peace within the population centers. The situation at the western border remained critical for the past one year due to the exodus of foreign forces from Afghanistan, dynamics of the areas around the border and the negative interference of enemy countries. In the last two years, two major operations were conducted namely, Dua Toi and Khyber, which is how peace was restored in the affected areas. Also, these operations were vital for border fencing and ensuring its timely completion. Recently, major terror plots in Noshki and Panjgur were foiled by the security forces. In the last five years, the biggest victories of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) included operations against Ansar al-Sharia Karachi, JuA Kurram Chapter, TTS Lahore Chapter, TTP Swabi Chapter, Intiqam-e-Waziristan Group and TTS Dir/Swat Chapter. 
In these last five years, more than 5,500 threat alerts were issued out of which most were neutralized. During 2017-2022, there was an evident decrease in the incidents of terrorism, that speaks volumes of the importance of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad and its continuance. Since 2017, special emphasis was given to capacity engagement of LEAs. 67 new wings have been constituted within FC. As per border management, 95 percent of the border fencing has been carried out and more than 78 per cent of the work has been completed on the Pak-Iran border. Furthermore, 679 forts/border posts and border terminals have also been constructed.
One of the major undertaking under Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad was ‘demining’. An area of 74 sq kms area was cleared in the tribal areas. The unexploded ordnance (UXOs), drifted mines, and IEDs installed by the terrorist were becoming a source of martyrdom of both forces and the general public. Through a dedicated effort, demining teams were employed who were able to recover almost 80,000 mines. Also, in these last five years, security forces have trained more than 40 thousand cadets. Moreover, around 22,000 cadets of levis and paramilitary forces were trained by Pakistan Army.
Return of the temporary displaced persons (TDP) back to their homes with dignity and safety was a difficult task. Through a coordinated strategy, many of the TDPs have returned home. To counter violent extremism and terrorism, various efforts were undertaken under the aegis of NAP. The abettors and those responsible for various acts of terrorism were captured. For the trial of the terrorists, military courts were established, towards which 717 cases were referred. 344 terrorists were given death penalty, out of which 58 have been hanged till death. 106 terrorists were given life imprisonment, 195 were given imprisonment for different tenures, while 5 people were acquitted.
Stern actions were taken against 78 terrorist organizations and their top leadership. Their assets were frozen and their movement was restricted. Money laundering, extortion, kidnapping for extortion and targeted killings were controlled through an effective strategy. The positive impacts of Counter Violent Extremism program are also visible. Since 2017, more than 1200 sub-nationalist extremists gave up their arms and joined the road towards peace and prosperity. Through de-radicalization program, more than 4500 people have been reintegrated into the society. Hate speech and extremist literature and its dissemination were countered effectively, along with countering terrorists’ narrative. In this regard, the role of religious clerics belonging to all sects is of vital importance and renders high appreciation. 
The efforts of hostile intelligence agencies (HIAs) to push Pakistani youth towards extremism was countered effectively. Through Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, Pakistan unearthed anti-state actions by HIAs, especially undeniable proofs of the support and training being provided to terrorists, which were also provided to the world. The 6^th Population Census was also carried out during Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, in which 7 security personnel embraced martyrdom while 15 others were injured. The polio eradication efforts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan were also provided security during Radd-ul-Fasaad, owing to which the efforts for polio eradication continued.
The environment of peace was enhanced due to Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad. Karachi, an economic hub of Pakistan, ranked 6^th in the 2014 Crime Index which stands at 124^th now, which itself speaks for the victory of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad. Decrease in terrorism, target killings and extortion witnessed an evident decrease. Other than that, under the Balochistan Vision by the Federal Government, 199 developmental projects with the cost of Rs. 601 billion are also under process, which include 10 health projects, 18 educational, 20 agricultural and 42 major transport projects. Maximum security is being provided to these projects in order for their timely completion, so that the people of Balochistan can benefit from them.
Due to the peaceful environment in the KP tribal areas, around 831 development projects with the cost of Rs. 31 billion are under process. Along with CPEC projects, projects under Balochistan Vision are also under process. Securing the borders, madrassa reforms, merger of tribal areas with KP, and transfer of powers to police and district administration are the fruits of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad. Today, playgrounds are full; Pakistan Super League (PSL) being organized in Pakistan every year, foreign players’ visits to Pakistan and the joint military exercises are all positive outcomes of the operation. 
Furthermore, the growing economic activity in relation to tourism is an indication of Pakistan’s trajectory towards peace and prosperity. Gwadar, northern areas and K2 have grabbed attention of foreign tourists for the places that must be visited. Areas that were previously marred with terrorism are now witnessing growing economic activity. The success of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad is the success of Pakistan. The role played by security forces for this success along with the people and media is highly commendable. The road towards peace and prosperity will continue along with countering violent extremism in all its aspects.