LAHORE: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa Tuesday approved the launch of combing operation in South Punjab in consultation with the provincial government.

According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the approval was given in a meeting chaired by the army chief in Lahore.

Corps Commander Lahore, DG Rangers Punjab and other high-level officials were also present in the meeting.

General Bajwa also directed to take Punjab government into confidence before initiating the combing operation.

During the meeting, the COAS was briefed about the suicide blast at Mall Road.

It was also decided in the Corps Commander’s meeting that strict action would be taken against all those outfits that have become operational after changing their names.

Earlier, the army chief also visited the residence of Capt (retd) Ahmed Mubeen Shaheed and offered condolences to his family.