Peshawar: Director General ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has vowed to tighten the noose around Khawarij terrorists and their facilitators, regardless of who they are. Addressing a news conference in Peshawar on Friday, he emphasized that the entire nation stands united against terrorists and their facilitators.
According to Radio Pakistan, Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry declared that the current status quo will not persist. He stressed that any individual or group facilitating the Khawarij must either hand them over to the state, support the state’s efforts to eliminate terrorism, or be prepared to face decisive action. He reiterated that Pakistan’s armed forces and law enforcement agencies are the sole guarantors of the nation’s security, and that this security cannot be compromised by external influences.
He criticized the provincial government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, urging them to fulfill their responsibilities instead of relying on Afghanistan for security. He accused India of using Afghanistan as a base for terrorism inside Pakistan. He assured that the armed forces are performing their duties in accordance with the law and the constitution, highlighting the importance of the sacrifices made by martyrs in the fight against terrorism.
Lieutenant General Chaudhry responded to questions regarding Afghanistan, stating that Afghan authorities have been repeatedly asked to prevent the use of their soil against Pakistan. He reaffirmed the armed forces’ commitment to taking all necessary steps to protect the lives of the people.
The DG ISPR strongly condemned false narratives targeting anti-terrorism operations and mocking the sacrifices of the armed forces, attributing these to a malicious political-criminal nexus. He asserted that Pakistan’s state and institutions will remain unaffected by political disruptions, and criticized any individual responsible for the resurgence of terrorism in the country.
Highlighting counter-terrorism efforts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he revealed that 14,535 intelligence-based operations were conducted last year, resulting in the killing of 769 terrorists. He noted the martyrdom of 577 people, including personnel from the Pakistan Army and police. This year, 10,115 operations have been carried out, resulting in the killing of 917 terrorists and the martyrdom of 516 individuals, including officers and jawans from the Pakistan Army and police.