Wont’ allow Khyber PakhtunKhwa to be handed over to terrorists: DG ISPR
Spox warns against political facilitation of terrorists
Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, emphasized that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will not be allowed to fall into the hands of terrorists, underlining that counter-terrorism operations are a constitutional and national responsibility of the state.”
RAWALPNIDI: (News Pulse) Pakistan’s security landscape in 2025 has been described as facing an unprecedented challenge, with militant groups operating from Afghan territory and receiving alleged support from India, the country’s military spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Addressing a press conference, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), highlighted that militant organisations had established operational bases in Afghanistan, while funding and strategic support were reportedly coming from across the border in India.
“The most prominent pattern affecting Pakistan points towards India,” Chaudhry said, emphasizing that Afghanistan remained a safe haven for groups targeting Pakistan. He termed the ongoing scenario as driven by a “war economy,” noting that approximately $147 billion had been spent on Afghanistan’s reconstruction over the years, raising questions about where the funds ultimately went.
He added that $7.2 billion worth of US military equipment was left behind in Afghanistan, contributing to regional instability, while political facilitation had allowed armed groups to operate freely. Pakistan, he said, had taken a firm stance against these threats since 2023.
Impact of Afghan Developments on Pakistan
Chaudhry outlined how the Doha agreement of 2020, which aimed to ensure an inclusive Afghan government, prevent the use of Afghan territory for terrorism, and protect women’s rights, had failed to meet its objectives. He said groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had exploited the situation to operate from Afghan soil.
The DG ISPR also pointed to the recent influx of around 2,500 militants from Syria into Afghanistan, noting that many of these individuals were neither Afghan nor Pakistani, further complicating the security environment.
A Year of Intensified Counter-Terrorism
Chaudhry described 2025 as a “landmark and consequential year” in Pakistan’s fight against terrorism. Security forces reportedly conducted an average of 206 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) daily, totaling 75,175 operations nationwide.
Balochistan saw the highest number of operations with 58,778, followed by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa with 14,658, and other regions with 1,739.
The country recorded 5,397 terrorist incidents, with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa suffering the most — 3,811 incidents — while Balochistan reported 1,557. Security forces killed 2,597 militants, including 1,803 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and 784 in Balochistan. 27 suicide bombers were reported, primarily in these two provinces.
Chaudhry highlighted that 1,235 soldiers were martyred in counter-terrorism operations, underlining the intense challenges faced by Pakistan’s armed forces.
Rising Terrorism Trend (2021–2025)
Chaudhry presented a five-year overview showing a sharp escalation in terrorism-related incidents:
- 2021: 761 incidents, 193 militants killed, 592 security personnel martyred
- 2022: 1,020 incidents, 443 militants killed, 644 personnel martyred
- 2023: 1,811 incidents, 691 militants killed, 980 personnel martyred
- 2024: 3,014 incidents, 1,053 militants killed, 989 personnel martyred
- 2025: 5,397 incidents, 2,597 militants killed, 1,235 personnel martyred
Major Attacks Across Pakistan
Several high-profile attacks shook the country in 2025:
- March 4: Bannu Cantonment attack — 18 killed, 16 militants neutralized
- March 11: Jaffar Express attack in Bolan — 25 killed, 33 militants neutralized
- March 16: Bus attack in Nushki — 5 killed
- May 21: School bus attack in Khuzdar — 5 killed
- September 2 & 30: Attacks on Frontier Corps headquarters in Bannu and Quetta — 17 killed
- October 10: Police training school attack in Dera Ismail Khan — 7 killed
- November: Cadet college in Wana and Judicial Complex in Islamabad attacked — 16 killed
- November 24: Frontier Corps North headquarters in Peshawar — 3 killed
Chaudhry also claimed that banned TTP militants, referred to as Fitna Al-Khawarij, were the first to deploy armed drones in Pakistan with alleged Indian backing. He condemned the targeting of mosques, public places, and residential areas using women and children as shields.
National Call to Action
Rejecting claims that counter-terrorism was solely a military effort, Chaudhry stressed it as a national struggle. “If the nation does not stand united, its consequences will reach homes, schools, markets, and offices,” he warned.
The press conference underscored the sharp rise in militant activity in 2025 and the persistent threat posed by cross-border support, marking a critical juncture in Pakistan’s ongoing fight against terrorism.
