Islamabad: Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, has reaffirmed that the Pakistani state remains fully committed to eradicating terrorism, stating that the fight against terrorism is a national war that must be won decisively.
Briefing senior journalists on security operations carried out in 2025, the DG ISPR said security forces conducted 75,175 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) last year, while 5,400 terrorist incidents were recorded nationwide. He said 1,235 personnel of law enforcement agencies and civilians embraced martyrdom during these incidents.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif said the state has taken decisive and concrete steps to counter terrorism, adding that Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts have been acknowledged and appreciated by the international community. He reiterated that extremist elements have no connection with Islam, Pakistan, or Balochistan.
He revealed that 5,397 counterterrorism operations were conducted this year alone. Addressing a key concern, he noted that around 80 per cent of terrorist incidents occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, attributing this to the availability of a conducive environment for militants in certain areas.
Providing a regional breakdown, the DG ISPR said that out of the 75,175 IBOs conducted last year, 14,658 were carried out in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 58,778 in Balochistan, and 1,739 in other parts of the country.
He further disclosed that 27 suicide attacks took place last year, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bearing the brunt of these assaults. He said political instability and a permissive environment in parts of the province have been exploited by terrorist networks.
The DG ISPR said terrorism began resurging in 2021, the same year significant changes took place in Afghanistan following the Doha Agreement. He stated that Afghan groups had made three commitments under the Doha deal, including preventing the use of Afghan soil for terrorism and ensuring women’s education—promises that remain unfulfilled.
According to the military spokesperson, 2,597 terrorists were neutralised in 2025 alone. He stressed that terrorist networks continue to operate from across the border, stating that Afghanistan has become a hub for multiple terrorist organisations, including Fitna al-Khawarij and what he termed Fitna-e-Hindustan.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif said Pakistan has repeatedly urged Afghan authorities to take action against terrorist sanctuaries. However, when warnings were ignored, Pakistan responded decisively, including targeting hostile posts along the Pak-Afghan border during heightened tensions last October.
He said the United States left behind $7.2 billion worth of advanced military equipment in Afghanistan, which has strengthened militant groups. He accused Afghan Taliban elements of facilitating and training Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters and sponsoring terrorism to sustain a war economy, while alleging Indian backing for terrorist activities inside Pakistan.
Responding to calls for dialogue with militants, the DG ISPR said the Pakistani state took a clear and firm stand against terrorism in 2023. “There are moments in life when fighting is not only necessary but justified,” he said, adding that security forces are engaging terrorists wherever they are found.
He reiterated that all political parties are united on the National Action Plan (NAP) and stressed that its full implementation is essential to eliminate terrorism. “This war against terrorism must be won — and it will be won through strength and national unity,” he concluded.
