Pakistan’s military on Friday leveled a serious accusation that a ‘political-criminal nexus’ is fueling the dramatic surge in terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), with the armed forces vowing to dismantle this network and eradicate militancy from the country.
Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, speaking at a press conference at the Peshawar Corps Headquarters, asserted the military’s unwavering commitment to this cause. He lamented the failure of successive governments to maintain a unified counterterrorism policy, noting that the National Action Plan (NAP) agreed upon after the 2014 Army Public School tragedy lost its continuity.
Lt Gen Chaudhry pointed out that even the current government’s revised plan, “Azm-e-Istehkam,” has not been fully implemented. “Even today, voices are being raised against counterterrorism operations,” he remarked, questioning the efficacy of dialogue in all situations. “If every problem could be solved through dialogue, then why were the battles of Badr and Uhud fought?”
The ISPR chief presented stark figures to illustrate the escalating security crisis. In 2024, security forces conducted 14,535 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in KP, with another 10,115 carried out so far in 2025. These efforts resulted in the elimination of 769 terrorists last year and 917 this year, the highest number in a decade.
The human cost, however, has been severe. In 2024, 577 Pakistanis were martyred, including 140 police, 272 military personnel, and 165 civilians. The losses have continued into 2025, with 516 fatalities recorded, comprising 311 military personnel, 73 police officials, and 132 civilians.
Lt Gen Chaudhry attributed the concentration of violence in KP-accounting for 70% of the 3,984 terrorist incidents in 2025-to a ‘calculated design’ where militants and their facilitators were given space due to political patronage and weak governance.
He also implicated foreign involvement, stating that India was using Afghan territory to orchestrate attacks in Pakistan. He revealed that a significant amount of US weaponry left in Afghanistan has ended up with militant groups. Citing evidence provided to Kabul, he noted that over the past two years, 161 Afghan nationals were killed during terrorist acts, 135 were neutralized attempting to infiltrate, and 30 captured suicide bombers were Afghan citizens.
The military spokesperson highlighted critical weaknesses in the provincial justice system, revealing that not a single terrorist had been convicted as of August 2025. Over 4,500 cases registered by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) are awaiting trial. ‘If we truly wish to eradicate terrorism, we must strengthen CTD and judicial systems,’ he urged, noting KP’s CTD is severely understaffed with only 3,200 personnel.
The DG ISPR firmly rejected any possibility of negotiations with militants. ‘Who are we to talk to – those who behead children and play football with their heads?’ he questioned, warning that Pakistan’s national security would not be compromised. He issued a stern warning to local sympathizers to either surrender or face the full force of the state.
Addressing the politicization of national security issues, Lt Gen Chaudhry criticized those opposing the repatriation of Afghan refugees and spreading a ‘fake and fabricated narrative’ against security operations. He contrasted the functional governance in Sindh and Punjab with KP, where he said terrorism was being used as a ‘political card under the guise of provincialism.’
When questioned about former ISI chief Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, the spokesperson confirmed that legal proceedings were underway, assuring that the military’s institutional accountability process is transparent. ‘The army does not carry anyone’s politics,’ he stated, emphasizing that no individual or political agenda is greater than the state.
Concluding his address, Lt Gen Chaudhry paid a profound tribute to the sacrifices of the armed forces, police, and civilians, promising that their sacrifices ‘will never go in vain’ and that the people of KP remain a steadfast barrier against terrorism.