Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, on Tuesday described 2025 as a “landmark and consequential year” in the country’s fight against terrorism, as security forces carried out an unprecedented number of intelligence-based operations (IBOs).
Briefing the media at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, the DG ISPR said terrorism remained the country’s foremost security challenge, stressing that the fight against militancy was a national struggle requiring public cooperation alongside security agencies.
Terrorist Incidents Concentrated in KP and Balochistan
Lt Gen Chaudhry revealed that 71 percent of terrorist incidents in 2025 occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, followed by 29 percent in Balochistan, with only a small fraction reported in the rest of the country.
According to official data shared during the briefing:
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Total terrorist incidents in 2025: 5,397
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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 3,811
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Balochistan: 1,557
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He said the concentration of attacks highlighted the evolving operational landscape faced by security forces in Pakistan’s western regions.
Over 75,000 Intelligence-Based Operations Conducted
The DG ISPR said 75,175 intelligence-based operations were conducted nationwide in 2025 — averaging more than 206 IBOs daily, reflecting the intensity of counter-terrorism efforts.
Breakdown of IBOs:
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Balochistan: 58,778
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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 14,658
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Rest of Pakistan: 1,739
“These operations delivered significant successes against terrorist networks across the country,” he said.
2,597 Terrorists Killed in 2025
Lt Gen Chaudhry stated that 2,597 terrorists were killed during operations last year.
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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 1,803
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Balochistan: 784
He acknowledged the heavy sacrifices made by security forces, disclosing that 1,235 soldiers embraced martyrdom during counter-terrorism operations in 2025.
Suicide Attacks and Emerging Trends
The military spokesperson said 27 suicide attacks were carried out nationwide in 2025:
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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 16
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Balochistan: 10
Notably, he added, two suicide attacks were carried out by women, underscoring an alarming tactical shift by militant groups.
Sharp Rise in Terrorism Since 2021
Presenting a graph titled “Kinetics of Counter-Terrorism Effort in the Last Five Years,” Lt Gen Chaudhry said terrorist incidents rose sharply following 2021.
Year-wise terrorism data:
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2021: 761 incidents | 193 militants killed | 592 personnel martyred
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2022: 1,020 incidents | 443 militants killed | 644 personnel martyred
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2023: 1,811 incidents | 691 militants killed | 980 personnel martyred
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2024: 3,014 incidents | 1,053 militants killed | 989 personnel martyred
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2025: 5,397 incidents | 2,597 militants killed | 1,235 personnel martyred
“The surge peaked in 2025,” he said, calling it the most intense year of counter-terrorism operations in recent history.
Afghanistan Turned Into Terrorist Haven
Discussing the regional situation, the DG ISPR said Afghanistan has become a safe haven for terrorist organisations, impacting Pakistan and neighbouring states.
He stated that groups including Al-Qaeda, ISIS (Daesh), the TTP, and the BLA are operating from Afghan soil.
According to recent intelligence, he added, around 2,500 terrorists have relocated to Afghanistan from Syria, posing a serious threat to regional security.
He urged the international community to take notice, warning that instability in Afghanistan was directly exporting terrorism to the region.
Taliban Failed to Honour Doha Commitments
Lt Gen Chaudhry criticised the Afghan Taliban for failing to fulfil commitments made under the Doha Agreement, including:
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Formation of an inclusive government
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Preventing Afghan soil from being used for terrorism
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Ensuring rights for women
“These promises were not fulfilled,” he said, adding that Afghanistan’s governance structure lacks ethnic inclusivity.
Abandoned US Weapons Fueling Terrorism
The DG ISPR said the withdrawal of allied forces from Afghanistan left behind large quantities of modern weaponry, now being used in terrorist attacks across the region.
Despite spending $134 billion in Afghanistan, he said, allied forces failed to establish sustainable peace.
“This abandoned equipment is increasing threats not just for Pakistan, but for the entire region,” he warned.
India Using Terrorists as Proxies, Claims ISPR
Lt Gen Chaudhry alleged that India is using terrorist groups as proxies, providing them with arms and financial support.
He said Pakistani security agencies possess credible evidence, describing the issue as a serious threat to regional peace and stability.
‘Khwarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan Have No Link to Religion or Balochistan’
The DG ISPR reiterated that Khwarij have nothing to do with Islam, while Fitna-al-Hindustan — his term for Baloch militant groups — has no connection with Balochistan or its people.
He said Pakistan’s response to terrorism was backed by national consensus under the National Action Plan, though its implementation could still be improved.
“Pakistan Has Withstood What Others Could Not”
Concluding the briefing, Lt Gen Chaudhry remarked that if even five percent of the terrorism faced by Pakistan were to occur in any other country, that state would not survive.
Despite immense challenges, he said, Pakistan’s security forces and people have demonstrated resilience, unity, and resolve in the long war against terrorism.
