Pakistan 'phenomenal partner' in counter-terrorism, says US Centcom chief

Washington (Web Desk): United States Central Command (Centcom) Commander General Michael Erik Kurilla commended Pakistan for its pivotal role in global counterterrorism efforts.

Speaking at the US Senate Armed Services Committee, he described Pakistan as a “phenomenal partner in the world of counter-terrorism, General Michael Erik Kurilla, highlighting the country's ongoing struggle against terrorism, particularly in Balochistan and along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border where groups like the Islamic State-Khorasan (Daesh-Khorasan) remain active.

The US Centcom chief emphasized that Pakistan's contributions are widely recognized and appreciated by the international community.

He noted that Pakistan's cooperation, especially in intelligence sharing, has proven critical in the fight against Daesh-Khorasan, which he identified as one of the most dangerous and active terrorist organizations globally.

“Through joint efforts, dozens of Daesh-Khorasan operatives have been neutralized, and several, including at least five high-profile leaders, have been apprehended in recent operations,” the US Centcom chief said.

He revealed that over 1,000 terrorist attacks have taken place in Pakistan’s western regions since the beginning of 2024, resulting in the deaths of around 700 individuals, including security personnel and civilians, and injuring more than 2,500 others.

Despite the severity of these incidents, General Kurilla stated that Daesh-Khorasan has been significantly weakened, with a notable decline in its operational capabilities due to sustained counterterrorism pressure.

In his concluding remarks, the Centcom chief stressed the importance of maintaining strong US ties with both Pakistan and India.

He expressed confidence that fostering a close relationship with Pakistan does not necessarily undermine US relations with India, underlining the strategic value of engaging both nations in regional and global security frameworks.