Rawalpindi: DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stated that 80 percent of terrorist incidents have occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, primarily because a politically conducive environment is provided to terrorists in the province.
While briefing senior journalists on security forces’ operations in 2025, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that successful counterterrorism operations were conducted last year. He noted that 75,175 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) were carried out, during which 5,400 terrorist incidents took place, and 1,235 personnel from law enforcement agencies and civilians were martyred.
He emphasized that the state is fully committed to counterterrorism and has taken significant measures in this regard. Pakistan’s stance against terrorism is clear, and the international community has acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts. He reiterated that the state is determined to eradicate terrorism and clarified that Khawarij have no connection with Islam.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry further stated that a total of 5,397 counterterrorism operations were conducted this year, adding that the most critical question remains why 80 percent of terrorist incidents are occurring in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He said that last year, law enforcement agencies conducted 75,175 intelligence-based operations, including 14,658 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 58,778 in Balochistan, and 1,739 in other parts of the country.
According to him, 27 suicide attacks occurred last year, with 80 percent taking place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where a politically favorable environment is being provided for terrorism.
The DG ISPR said that terrorism began resurging in 2021. That year, 193 terrorists were eliminated, and significant changes occurred in Afghanistan following the Doha Agreement. Afghan groups made three commitments in Doha, including eliminating terrorism from Afghan soil and ensuring education for women in Afghanistan.
He stated that 2,597 terrorists were killed in 2025 and reiterated that the high incidence of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is due to the availability of a supportive environment for terrorists there.
He further said that the epicenters of Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna-e-Hindustan are in Afghanistan, where all terrorist organizations are based and being nurtured. He recalled that tensions escalated at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in October last year. Pakistan repeatedly urged Afghanistan to rein in Khawarij terrorists, but when these efforts failed, Afghan border posts were targeted within hours.
The army spokesperson said that clashes took place during Marka-e-Haq and at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in October. During Marka-e-Haq, India was decisively defeated and taught a lesson. Terrorists were targeted along the Pak-Afghan border. He alleged that the Afghan Taliban regime attacked Pakistani posts, after which necessary actions were taken and a strong message was delivered. He added that the border has been closed for the past three months, and there are clear signs for those who observe and understand. He warned that if even 5 to 10 percent of this terrorist menace were to spread elsewhere, states would not be able to survive.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that a comprehensive review of last year’s terrorist incidents will be conducted. He reiterated that major counterterrorism steps have been taken and that terrorists have no connection with Pakistan, Islam, or Balochistan. He stressed again that the world has acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts and that the war against terrorism is a collective national struggle. It is absolutely clear, he said, that this war must be won—and it will be won through strength.
He added that all political parties agree on the National Action Plan, and its implementation is essential to eliminate terrorism. He cited a religious injunction regarding the Khawarij, stating that there is a clear command to fight them wherever they are found.
The DG ISPR also said that the United States left behind $7.2 billion worth of advanced weaponry in Afghanistan. He alleged that the Afghan Taliban are organizing and training the TTP, sponsoring terrorism to sustain a war economy, while terrorism in Pakistan is backed by India. He said the Taliban are consolidating their control there, while their settlement process is beginning on this side of the border.
