Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on Friday that the issue of terrorism in Pakistan had been politicized, and the National Action Plan Pakistan was never fully implemented.
He said the press conference aimed to review the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where security forces continue their operations against militants. “The Pakistan Army is committed to ending terrorism. Together, we must uproot this menace,” he said.
917 Terrorists Killed in 2025 Operations
The DG ISPR revealed that 917 terrorists had been killed this year, while 516 soldiers and civilians embraced martyrdom in operations across Pakistan.
He said that in 2024, security forces conducted 14,535 operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while in 2025, 10,115 operations had already been carried out. On average, 40 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) are being conducted daily.
“This year, the number of foreign terrorists killed is the highest in the past ten years,” he added.
India Using Afghanistan for Terrorism, Says DG ISPR
Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry accused India of using Afghanistan as a base for terrorism against Pakistan. He said terrorist safe havens still exist across the border.
“Over 30 suicide bombers involved in attacks inside Pakistan were of Afghan origin,” he stated, adding that terrorist networks enjoy both local and foreign support.
He praised the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for their sacrifices and bravery in the fight against terrorism.
National Action Plan Needs Full Enforcement
Referring to the Army Public School (APS) tragedy, DG ISPR said that the National Action Plan Pakistan was created with consensus to eliminate terrorism.
“We must ask why terrorism still exists. Was negotiating with terrorists ever part of NAP? How can those who attack schools, mosques, and madrassas be talked to?” he asked.
He said wars are not fought through talks alone. “If dialogue solved everything, the Prophet (PBUH) would never have fought the Battle of Badr,” he remarked.
Justice System Must Be Strengthened
Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif said no terrorist has been convicted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “We needed a stronger judicial system and a more powerful Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).”
He praised the KP Police but said their total strength remains only 3,200 personnel, which is not enough to meet the challenge.
Three Choices for Terror Facilitators
The DG ISPR warned that the status quo will not continue. “Those helping terrorists have three choices:
-
Hand over militants to the state,
-
Support security forces against them, or
-
Face state action,” he said firmly.
He added that non-customs paid vehicles were being used in terror attacks, making it difficult to track them. “Where smuggling exists, terrorism follows,” he warned.
Calling Afghanistan a brotherly Islamic nation, he said Pakistan’s only demand is that Afghan soil should not be used for terrorism. Pakistani ministers, he said, had informed Kabul that facilitators of terrorists were still operating there.
“The Pakistan Army will take every step needed to protect the lives and property of our people,” DG ISPR concluded. “No one should doubt our determination to defeat terrorism once and for all.”
