Rawalpindi: Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, stressed the Pakistan Armed Forces’ unyielding commitment to national security and counter-terrorism efforts during a news conference held today. He underscored the necessity for individual and collective action to bolster Pakistan’s strength and effectively tackle challenges facing the nation.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Lieutenant General Chaudhry provided a detailed account of the counter-terrorism operations conducted over the past eight months in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. He revealed that a total of 32,173 intelligence-based operations were executed, with 4,021 operations in the last month alone, resulting in the elimination of 90 Khawarij terrorists.
The DG ISPR reported that daily, over 130 intelligence-based operations are carried out by a combination of the army, intelligence, police, and other law enforcement agencies. He also paid tribute to the 193 soldiers and officers of the Pakistan Army who have been martyred in these operations, acknowledging the nation’s deep respect and gratitude towards these “valiant sons of the soil and their families.”
Furthermore, Lieutenant General Chaudhry reiterated the military’s resolution to continue the fight against terrorism until the last Khawarij terrorist is eliminated from Pakistan. He condemned recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan, stating that the perpetrators do not represent Islam, humanity, or Baloch norms, and emphasized the state’s firm stance against terrorists and their enablers.
Regarding internal accountability, the DG ISPR disclosed that court-martial proceedings against Retired Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed are underway, asserting the Pakistan Army’s apolitical stance and its dedication to national rather than political interests.
Answering a question about the territorial integrity of the country, he affirmed that over 46,000 square kilometers have been secured by the army, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies, ensuring that there are no “no-go areas” in Pakistan. He outlined the ongoing campaign against terrorism, which involves four phases: clear, hold, build, and transfer, noting that the armed forces have completed the ‘clear’ and ‘hold’ phases and are now focusing on ‘build’ and ‘transfer’ in collaboration with local and provincial governments.
Lieutenant General Chaudhry called on civilian authorities to lead socio-economic initiatives in health, education, and employment to improve the welfare of the general public.