Pakistan’s Military Chief Highlights Political-Criminal Nexus Behind Rising Terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
A Call for Stronger Measures Against Terrorism
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director-General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), has issued a firm statement emphasizing the urgency of dismantling the “political-criminal nexus” that has exacerbated terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). During a press conference at the Peshawar Corps Headquarters, Lt Gen Chaudhry stressed that Pakistan’s security forces are committed to eradicating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. He highlighted the grave consequences of political interference and weak governance, which have allowed militant groups to thrive in the province.
A Unified National Response to Terrorism
Lt Gen Chaudhry pointed out that following the tragic APS massacre in 2014, all political parties had agreed to take unified action through the National Action Plan (NAP). However, he criticized the successive governments for failing to maintain continuity in its implementation. He also expressed concerns over the incomplete execution of the revised counterterrorism strategy, “Azm-e-Istehkam,” which was introduced by the current government.
The military chief called for full enforcement of the revised strategy, declaring that the fight against terrorism cannot be delayed or politicized. “If dialogue could solve everything, why did we need battles like Badr and Uhud?” he remarked, underscoring the need for decisive action rather than negotiation with terrorists.
Impressive Counterterrorism Operations Amid Heavy Losses
Lt Gen Chaudhry provided a sobering account of the ongoing counterterrorism efforts. In 2024, over 14,500 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) were conducted in KP, with another 10,100 already carried out in 2025. These operations have resulted in the elimination of hundreds of terrorists, with 769 killed in 2024 and 917 so far in 2025. However, the human cost has been high, with 577 Pakistanis martyred in 2024, including 140 police officers and 272 soldiers, and 516 lives lost in 2025, including 311 military personnel.
The DG ISPR highlighted that this surge in terrorist activity is directly linked to the deliberate space given to militants and their facilitators by political and criminal networks. “The people of KP are paying the price for this failure with their blood,” he said.
Afghan Influence and the Role of Refugees
The military chief also addressed the role of Afghan nationals in terrorism, revealing that 161 Afghan nationals had been killed in terrorist incidents in Pakistan in the past two years. He also noted the involvement of Afghan citizens in suicide bombings and infiltrations. Lt Gen Chaudhry criticized the political debate surrounding the repatriation of Afghan refugees, calling it a “politicized” issue that clouds a crucial national policy decision. He reminded that the repatriation of Afghan refugees had been agreed upon in 2014 and reaffirmed in 2021.
External Threats: India’s Role in Fueling Terrorism
In a significant revelation, Lt Gen Chaudhry accused India of using Afghan soil to launch terror attacks against Pakistan. He provided evidence that Indian proxies were conducting cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan. “Afghanistan must ensure its soil is not used for terror attacks against Pakistan,” he asserted, adding that Pakistan had provided concrete evidence of such activities to Afghan authorities.
The Call for Stronger Governance and Judicial Action
Lt Gen Chaudhry emphasized the need to strengthen the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in KP, which he described as under-resourced. He pointed to the lack of convictions in terrorism-related cases, with 34 high-profile cases still pending in the judicial system. “If we are serious about eliminating terrorism, we must overhaul our CTD and judicial systems,” he urged, underscoring the importance of a robust legal framework to complement military operations.
Reaffirming the Military’s Commitment to National Security
The DG ISPR reaffirmed the military’s commitment to ensuring Pakistan’s national security and declared that there would be no negotiations with militant groups. “Pakistan’s security cannot be mortgaged to any foreign nation, especially Afghanistan,” he warned. He also addressed local facilitators of terrorism, giving them an ultimatum: surrender terrorists, assist the security forces, or face severe state action.
A Tribute to Martyrs and the People of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Concluding his remarks, Lt Gen Chaudhry paid tribute to the martyrs of Pakistan’s security forces, including police officers, soldiers, and civilians, who have sacrificed their lives in the battle against terrorism. He praised the resilience of the people of KP, calling them a “wall of steel” against terrorism. “The blood of our martyrs will never go in vain,” he stated, reinforcing his commitment to securing a future free of terror.
