Political-Criminal Nexus Behind Terrorism
Director-General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, briefed the public on the ongoing surge in terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Friday. He blamed a “political-criminal nexus” for supporting terrorists and facilitating their operations in the province.
He said the National Action Plan (NAP), adopted after the 2014 Army Public School tragedy, has not been fully implemented. This gap has allowed militancy to resurge. The current government’s revised plan, Azm-e-Istehkam, also remains partially executed.
Record Counterterrorism Operations and Sacrifices
Lt Gen Chaudhry highlighted that in 2025 alone, security forces conducted over 10,115 intelligence-based operations in KP, eliminating 917 terrorists, the highest number in the past decade.
However, these operations have come at a cost. The DG reported that 311 Pakistan Army personnel, 73 police officers, and 132 civilians were martyred this year. In 2024, 769 terrorists were neutralised during 14,534 operations, while 577 people lost their lives.
Governance Gaps and External Threats
The DG emphasised that KP suffers more from terrorism due to weak governance, political patronage, and local facilitators. In contrast, Punjab and Sindh have seen fewer incidents. He also highlighted India’s alleged use of Afghan territory for proxy attacks and warned of US-supplied weapons reaching terrorist hands.
Afghan Refugees and Cross-Border Security
Lt Gen Chaudhry addressed the Afghan refugee situation, urging political clarity and caution against politicising repatriation. He said Pakistan has engaged Afghanistan through multiple diplomatic channels to prevent its soil from being used for attacks.
No Negotiations with Militants
Rejecting any talks with militant groups, the DG warned facilitators of three options: surrender terrorists to the state, assist in counterterrorism operations, or face direct action. He reaffirmed the armed forces’ commitment to eliminating terrorism and praised the sacrifices of KP’s civilians and security personnel.
“The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are standing like a wall of steel against terrorism,” he said. “The blood of our martyrs will not go in vain. The nation must unite to eradicate this menace.”
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