ISLAMABAD(The COW News Digital) Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has accused the former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government of being among the alleged facilitators of terrorism, claiming that its ineffective and indifferent approach hindered counterterrorism efforts in the province.
the military spokesperson outlined Pakistan’s counterterrorism strategy, emphasizing the need to eliminate terrorist networks and their support structures operating within the country.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan had developed a clear strategy to address the threat of terrorism, which includes targeting militant groups as well as individuals and networks providing them with assistance.
He stressed that certain internal challenges must also be addressed to effectively combat terrorism. According to the DG ISPR, opposition to counterterrorism operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa comes from individuals allegedly maintaining links with militant groups.
“There is no one in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who opposes counterterrorism operations,” he said, adding that those resisting such efforts were allegedly connected to terrorist organizations.
The military spokesperson further claimed that a facilitator previously obstructing counterterrorism initiatives in the province was no longer in a position to do so.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry clarified that security forces were not conducting a large-scale military operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Instead, intelligence-based operations were being carried out regularly to dismantle militant networks.
He stated that security forces conduct approximately 200 intelligence-based operations daily across the country. These operations, he explained, involve coordinated efforts between the Pakistan Army, police and other law enforcement agencies.
The DG ISPR highlighted the importance of intelligence-led cooperation, saying the approach enables security institutions to target specific militant threats while maintaining coordination among relevant agencies.
Addressing the regional dimensions of terrorism, the military spokesperson said Pakistan did not attribute all terrorist incidents within its borders solely to Afghanistan.
However, he described Afghanistan as a primary base for militant activities targeting Pakistan, alleging that terrorist leadership, training camps and launch facilities were located there.
He also criticized what he described as India’s approach of portraying internal security challenges as external threats, saying Pakistan recognized the need to address domestic factors contributing to terrorism.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan’s extensive experience in counterterrorism, accumulated over two decades of fighting militant groups, gave the country significant operational expertise.
He acknowledged that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had suffered extensively because of terrorism, describing the province’s residents as courageous and an integral part of Pakistani society.
The DG ISPR praised the cultural traditions and resilience of the Pashtun community, emphasizing that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa deserved lasting peace, security and stability.
His remarks underscore the continuing security challenges facing the province, where counterterrorism efforts remain a central concern for national security institutions and local communities.
