PESHAWAR:
Director General ISPR, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, said a political-criminal nexus and external support from India are driving the recent surge in terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
During a press conference at Corps Headquarters Peshawar, Lt Gen Chaudhry revealed that nearly 30 suicide bombers involved in attacks over the past two years were linked to this nexus. He emphasized that these elements spread false narratives to mislead the public and discredit the sacrifices of Pakistan’s security forces.
The DG ISPR said Pakistan, especially KP, has faced terrorism for over two decades but remains united with its people to eradicate militancy. He paid tribute to the martyrs, saying the province’s brave citizens have fought terrorism with unmatched courage.
Lt Gen Chaudhry warned that no one will be allowed to trade the rights or future of KP’s people for personal or political gain. He added that while such alliances have failed in Sindh and Punjab, KP continues to face their impact.
“The state, armed forces, and law enforcement agencies will not tolerate any alliance that supports terrorists,” he said, vowing strict action against facilitators regardless of their rank or position.
Operations and Casualties
He shared that in 2024, 435 intelligence-based operations were conducted in KP, while in 2025, over 10,000 operations have already taken place. So far, 917 terrorists have been killed, and 516 lives lost this year alone.
Lt Gen Chaudhry noted that terrorism persists due to poor implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP), political interference, and external backing from India. He accused India of using Afghan soil and militants to destabilize Pakistan.
He also mentioned that nearly 30 Afghan suicide bombers were used in attacks in the last two years, highlighting cross-border exploitation.
Governance and Policy Gaps
The DG ISPR criticized the lack of governance and poor policy implementation that allowed militants to regroup. He reiterated that the army continues to fill these gaps through immense sacrifice.
He questioned why the repatriation of Afghan refugees and madrasa registration—key NAP points—were never properly executed.
U.S. Weapons in Militants’ Hands
Lt Gen Chaudhry revealed that $7.2 billion worth of U.S. weapons left behind in Afghanistan are now being used by militants. In the past three months alone, 284 counter-terrorism operations were conducted, 70% in KP.
Concluding, he quoted the Army Chief: “Our institutions are compensating for governance failures with their blood. Pakistan needs unity, clarity, and political will to defeat terrorism.”
In an earlier interview with Bloomberg, Lt Gen Chaudhry stated Pakistan’s defense strategy focuses on self-reliance and advanced technology from both Eastern and Western sources, rejecting any arms race with India.
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