Rawalpindi (Web Desk): Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry is addressing a news conference on the current security situation.
At the outset of the press conference, the DG ISPR clarified that the briefing was intended to give a thorough review of counter-terrorism efforts undertaken over the past year.
He urged that the focus remain solely on the subject of militancy, underscoring that terrorism currently poses the gravest challenge to the country’s security and stability.
Reflecting on the period under review, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry described 2025 as a pivotal and far-reaching year in Pakistan’s campaign against terrorism.
Sharing a comprehensive overview of Pakistan’s counter-terrorism operations in 2025, the DG ISPR discussed the intensity of security efforts nationwide.
He said that the military carried out an average of over 206 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) each day, culminating in a staggering total of 75,175 operations by the year’s end.
Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that Balochistan experienced the lion’s share of these missions, with 58,778 operations, followed by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) at 14,658, while the rest of the country accounted for 1,739 operations.
The DG highlighted that Pakistan faced 5,397 terrorist incidents throughout the year, with KP being the hardest hit, recording 3,811 attacks, which represented more than 70% of the nationwide total. Balochistan recorded 1,557 incidents, and the rest of the country saw only 29.
The operations led to the deaths of 2,597 militants, including 1,803 in KP and 784 in Balochistan. There were 27 reported suicide attacks—16 in KP and 10 in Balochistan.
Lt Gen Chaudhry dismissed allegations linking Baloch insurgents to what he termed “Fitna-al-Hindustan,” stating that these groups had no operational presence in Balochistan.
He also paid tribute to the 1,235 soldiers who lost their lives in these operations, emphasizing the heavy toll on the armed forces.
Looking back, Chaudhry said 2021 marked a pivotal year in the security landscape, driven by developments in Afghanistan.
He referenced the Doha agreement between the Afghan Taliban and the United States, which had promised an inclusive government, prevention of Afghan territory being used for terrorism, and protection of women’s rights—none of which, he said, were implemented.
The DG ISPR pointed out that Afghan territory became a base for groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and that around 2,500 militants from Syria had recently moved to Afghanistan, posing new challenges for Pakistan.
Examining trends over the past five years, Chaudhry presented a sharp rise in terrorist activity. In 2021, Pakistan recorded 761 incidents, 193 militants were killed, and 592 security personnel martyred.
The following year, incidents rose to 1,020, with 443 militants killed and 644 personnel martyred. In 2023, attacks jumped to 1,811, leaving 980 security personnel and 691 militants dead. By 2024, incidents surged to 3,014, with 1,053 militants killed and 989 personnel martyred.
“The situation reached its peak in 2025,” Chaudhry said, with 5,397 attacks, 2,597 militants killed, and 1,235 personnel martyred.
Chaudhry identified the war economy as a key factor driving terrorism. He noted that about $147 billion had been spent on Afghanistan’s reconstruction, raising concerns about the funds’ destination.
“When this flow of money halts, militant groups attempt to perpetuate conflict and terrorism to survive,” he explained. He also pointed to foreign support networks, particularly from India, backing groups operating out of Afghanistan, and highlighted that $7.2 billion worth of US military equipment had been left in the country.
The DG stressed that the fight against terrorism was not the military’s struggle alone but a battle for every Pakistani citizen. He warned that failing to unite against these threats could bring violence into homes, schools, markets, and workplaces.
The year witnessed several high-profile attacks. On March 4, Bannu Cantonment in KP was targeted, killing 18 people, including five security personnel and 13 civilians, while 16 militants were neutralized.
A week later, on March 11, the Jaffar Express in Bolan was attacked, killing 25 people—four law enforcement officers and 21 civilians—and 33 militants were killed. On March 16, a civilian bus carrying Frontier Corps personnel in Nushki was attacked, killing five, including three officers, with three militants killed in return.
On May 21, violence struck children when a school bus in Khuzdar was attacked, killing five civilians, and one militant was killed. After a pause, attacks resumed in September. On September 2, Frontier Corps North headquarters in Bannu was assaulted, leaving six officers dead and five militants killed.
Later, on September 30, an attack on Frontier Corps headquarters in Quetta killed 11, including eight civilians, with six militants eliminated.
In October, a police training school in Dera Ismail Khan was attacked, killing seven people—six officers and a civilian—while five militants were killed. November saw a cadet college in Wana targeted, killing five, including three officers, and five militants were killed. The following day, the Judicial Complex in Islamabad was attacked, killing 11 civilians and one militant.
The year’s last major incident occurred on November 24 in Peshawar, when a second assault on Frontier Corps North headquarters killed three officers and three militants.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry slammed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leadership in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), while holding the party’s provincial government responsible for the deteriorating security situation and the sharp rise in terrorist activity.
He said that the PTI administration in KP was appealing to Afghanistan for help while, at the same time, actively opposing counterterrorism initiatives on every available platform. He said this contradictory approach had weakened the state’s response to militancy and created space for violent elements to operate.
Lt Gen Chaudhry revealed that around 71 per cent of all terrorist incidents recorded in 2025 occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He attributed this concentration of violence to what he described as a politically accommodating environment, where a nexus of political interests, criminal networks and terrorist groups had been allowed to thrive.
Referring to findings from the Centre for Research and Security Studies, he pointed out that KP experienced the most dramatic escalation in violence nationwide.
According to the report, fatalities in the province jumped from 1,620 in 2024 to 2,331 in 2025, marking an increase of more than 40 per cent within a single year. He said the figures highlighted serious governance failures and a lack of seriousness in confronting the militant threat.
The DG ISPR also criticised KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s position on dialogue with militants and rejected calls for security guarantees from Afghanistan.
He questioned why counterterrorism operations were being resisted and said seeking assurances from actors accused of sheltering terrorists made no sense.
Accusing PTI of crafting a misleading narrative while remaining part of the political system, he mocked claims suggesting the army had been sent to KP for purposes unrelated to security, such as mineral extraction.
Describing the chief minister’s remarks against military operations as absurd, he said the PTI-backed leadership’s stance had now become obvious.
“If a military operation is rejected, then what is the alternative?” he asked. “Should the state submit itself before the khawarij?” he said, adding sarcastically whether militant leader Noor Wali Mehsud should be appointed chief minister and allegiance sworn to him.
Lt Gen Chaudhry stressed that counterterrorism could not succeed through confusion or compromise.
He reiterated that firm and clear state action was essential, especially when dealing with groups accused of harbouring and facilitating terrorism.
Turning to governance issues, he said illegal mining was rampant in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and directly linked the spread of unlawful weapons to the persistence of terrorism.
Addressing tensions with Afghanistan, the ISPR chief said Pakistani border posts had been attacked by the Afghan Taliban regime, after which Pakistan responded decisively. He said whatever action was necessary had been taken and a strong message had been conveyed.
He stated that Afghanistan had turned into a central hub for terrorist activity in the region and claimed that the Afghan Taliban leadership had found a “new hero” in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to him, the connection between Fitna Al-Khawarij and India became fully exposed in 2025, posing a serious threat to regional peace and security.
He warned that if Afghanistan and India intended to confront Pakistan, they were free to do so, adding that Pakistan was fully prepared to respond. Clarifying operational matters, he said the Pakistan Army primarily uses drones for surveillance rather than combat roles.
Lt Gen Chaudhry reaffirmed the military’s resolve to eliminate terrorism, saying the war against militancy must be won at all costs and with strength.
He added that the closure of borders over the past three months was part of this resolve and said there were clear signs for those willing to see and understand the seriousness of the state’s actions.
Reiterating Islamabad’s firm policy, he said Pakistan’s approach to counterterrorism is clear and resolute, and that the international community has recognized and commended the country’s efforts in this regard.