RAWALPINDI: Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, reiterating Pakistan Armed Forces’ firm commitment to curb menace of terrorism, on Friday vowed that war against terror networks, Fitna-al Khawarij and their facilitators, would continue till complete elimination of the last Khawarij fron the country’s soil.
Addressing a news conference, the DG ISPR said the record high number of terrorists were killed during the year
2024.
Sharing the details, he said that a total of 59,775 operations were conducted by the security forces during the current year. “During these successful operations, 925 terrorists, including khawarij, were sent to hell while numerous were arrested,” he said.
He said that the number of terrorists killed was the largest in the last five years. “More than 169 operations are being conducted by the Pakistan Army, law enforcement, intelligence agencies and the police on a daily basis,” he added.
The DG ISPR said that the forces also successfully eliminated 73 “high-value targets, most-wanted terrorists during the operations”. These, he said, included Fitna al Khawarij leader from Malakand Division Mian Syed alias Qureshi, Mohsin Qadir of Fitna al Khawarij’s Malakand Division, Attaullah alias Mehran who was involved in an attack on a diplomatic convoy in Swat, Fadaur Rehman alias Lal from Zhob Division, Ali Rehman and Abu Yahya.
“Some 27 Afghan terrorists were also sent to hell”, he added.
Paying rich tribute to brave sons of the soil for sacrificing their lives for the country’s peace, Gen Ahmed Sharif said that 383 brave officers and soldiers embraced martyrdom during the counter-terrorism operations. “We have no doubt that we will continue this war against terrorism until the death of the last khawarij,” he said.
DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said, “ Pakistan will leave no stone unturned to eliminate the terrorist networks and keep our citizens safe”. “Everyone knows that Pakistan has wholeheartedly tried for peacekeeping in Afghanistan. Pakistan has played the most important role in the stability of Afghanistan,” he added.
He said that Pakistan had pointed out multiple times to the Afghan interim government that Fitna al Khawarij and various other terrorists have continued terrorist activities in Pakistan while using the Afghan soil. “The Army Chief has a clear and straight-forward stance on this: that Pakistan has reservations on banned organisations sanctuaries, support, and unrestrained activities on Afghan territory,” he said.
He went on to say that all evidence related to terrorism could be traced back to the safe havens, enjoyed by terrorists in Afghanistan.
The DG ISPR said that the repatriation of illegal Afghan citizens from Pakistan was underway. Since September 2023 till now, 8,15,000 illegal Afghan citizens have been sent back to Afghanistan, he added.
He said, “The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has said that one Pakistani’s life and protection is above Afghanistan,” adding that if the terrorists’ “blood-stained hands receive strength and aid from across the border, then the status quo is no more acceptable”.
Gen Ahmed Sharif said that work under the Western Border Management Regime was near to completion and the Armed Forces had already cleared “72 per cent of the area in the tribal districts from minefields”. “During this, mines and unexploded ordinances have been recovered,” he added.
He said “Not only geographical borders, but technical and legal actions are being taken step-wise to protect your digital borders as well.”
The DG ISPR said that following the directions of the government, the Army was also currently playing its role in a crackdown against smuggling, drugs, electricity theft and hoarders. “Different nationwide operations were carried out under a holistic strategy, following which there has been a significant decrease in illegal activities,” he added.
He said after the imposition of the One Document Regime, illegal border crossings have significantly declined. There has also been a marked difference in the use of passports, and smuggling has also decreased, he added.
Regarding Line of Control (LoC) violation by India, he said that India carried out different ceasefire violations on a micro level several times during the current year. “These included 25 ceasefire violations, 564 speculative fires, 61 airspace violations, and 181 tactical airspace violations,” he added.
He said that Armed Forces were fully aware of the dangers posed by India on the eastern front. “India, as usual, is planning to establish dominance in the region while trying to divert attention from its internal conflicts,” he remarked.
The DG ISPR said: “This year, the Indian government also carried out some false flag operations, intending to divert attention from its internal politics and tensions. All information related to these false flag operations was spread through propaganda social media accounts linked to India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), he added.
He said, “At the LoC, Pakistan Army possesses full ability to counter any aggression from India. This is also clear, that at any expense, for our integrity and self-determination, we are ready to render sacrifices at all times.”
He said India was carrying out massive atrocities in India Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and was “killing innocent Kashmiris during illegal operations for the whole world to see”. “Our principal stance is to stand with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, which we will continue to do. The Indian government is openly employing state terrorism tactics, including the target killings of Sikhs,” he said.
Regarding counter-terrorism efforts in Balochistan, the DG ISPR said that some high-value targets were eliminated in the region. “Baloch terrorists’ most-wanted leaders Sana alias Baro, Bashir alias Pir Jan, Niaz alias Gumman, Zareef Shah Jehan, Hazrat Ali alias Asad, Lak Jan Chakirabadi alias Sawara were also sent to hell,” he said.
He said that two suicide bombers — Insafullah alias Talha and Roohullah hailing from Afghanistan were apprehended by security forces and “their evil intentions were thwarted”.
Ten suicide bombing jackets, and more than 250kg of explosives and weapons were also recovered from them, he added.
Referring to statements made by Adeela Khudabaksh and Mahil Abdul Hamid — women terrorists arrested from Balochistan, Gen Ahmed Sharif said they both “revealed how terrorists brainwashed innocent people and were using the youth to rebel against the state”.
“Due to state institution’s excellent plan of action, 14 wanted terrorists put down their arms and joined the national mainstream, including Najeebullah alias Ustad Darwesh, Rasheed alias Tamash, and Fitna al Khawarij leader Naheed.”
Reiterating Pakistan’s unwavering support for the people of India Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the DG ISPR said, “Our principled stance remains firm: we will continue to extend legal, diplomatic, and moral support to the oppressed people of occupied Kashmir”.
Regarding the armed forces contributions to public welfare, he said highlighted the Pakistan Army’s active engagement in social and community development projects. “The Pakistan Army is wholeheartedly involved in initiatives aimed at public welfare, focusing on improving the lives of the people,” he said.
He said various public welfare initiatives were launched under the guidance of Army Chief General Asim Munir. “Projects aimed at the betterment of the people are being actively pursued,” he said.
Sharing details, he said 6,500 educational programmes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, construction of three dams in Balochistan aimed at enhancing the quality of life in these regions were also included.
He said the military actively participated in projects aimed at improving the lives of citizens. These efforts, he said, demonstrated the army’s commitment to social and economic progress across the country.
He went on to say that ‘”Under the ‘Ilm Tolo Da Para’ {Education for All] initiative’ educational facilities were provided to over 700,000 students in KP. Similarly, he said in the health sector, over 113 medical camps were set up to provide free health care facilities to the locals.
He said in Balochistan, out of 140-kilometer-long railway track between Sibi and Harnai, 93 kilometers were repaired and reopened after 17 years. After completion of the Kachhi Canal project, over 65000 acres of land have been irrigated in the first phase as of November 2024, he said.
The DG ISPR said some 15,825 acres of land have been brought under cultivation under the Green Pakistan Initiative Program so far. On the directives of COAS, development projects in Gwardar were being completed on priority, he added.
He said over 90 per cent work has also been completed on integrated border management system at Chaman and Torkham. Similarly, work was also being carried out on Quetta Safe City Project, he added.
He said, “Training begins from the very first day of joining the Pakistan Army”. A variety of training programmes were continuously conducted to ensure the highest standards of readiness and professionalism, he added.
He said extensive exercises, both within the army and in collaboration with allied nations, were a regular feature of our operations. Pre-induction training was provided to 11,071 personnel from 31 units during the current year besides conduction of eight different international joint exercises, he said and added that in February this year, PATs competitions were held in which 12 countries participated.
He went on to say that the Pakistan Navy also participated in 25 multinational exercises during this year. Similarly, in the Exercise Industrial 2024 held in October, 24 countries participated, he added.
He said the long-term War Games ‘Hikmat-e-Nau’ was also successfully completed during the current year. “Remember, a safe Pakistan is a strong Pakistan,” he stressed.
Urging the need for collective responsibility, the DG ISPR said, “The need of the hour is for all of us to come together and play our roles, both individually and collectively, to contribute to the nation’s progress and security”.
Responding to a query, the ISPR DG said through the National Action Plan (NAP) 2014, its revised version 2021, and the Azm-i-Istehkam , the entire nation had decided to combat terrorism together with all state institutions. “Terrorism would be eliminated when justice is established in those areas”, he said.
He said, “When there would be education, health, administration and good governance; when there would be a consensus between the education system and madressahs; and most of all, then the nexus of terrorism and crime would break”.
He said smuggling, extortion, non-custom-paid vehicles, and kidnapping were all “spectrum” of illegal activities. ”fake news and propaganda are also part of this illegal spectrum,” he added.
He said “when you review this illegal spectrum, you will see political backing as well at various points”, adding that it attempted to prevent steps determined under the NAP to counter such illegal activities. “If the elite of Pakistan come together to decide to break the illegal spectrum, make the laws, strictly act on them and also hand out punishments, then not only would you see the terrorism and lawlessness operating under this illegal spectrum ending but also see Pakistan on the path to prosperity,” he said.
To another question, the DG ISPR said Pakistan “fully respected” Afghanistan’s sovereignty and termed it a brother Islamic nation. “But we want that they do not give kharijis and terrorists precedence over Pakistan,” he added.
Responding to a question about the effectiveness of intelligence-based operations (IBOs), he said, “In the war against terrorism, there is a fundamental thing that the army and the Law Enforcing Agencies fight against the terrorist [but] the nation fights against terrorism. All segments and political parties agree on this point”.
He said no political leader’s desire for power should be more important than Pakistan’s interests. “All political parties and leaders are respectable to us. No individual, his politics and his desire for power are above Pakistan,” he added.
He said, “Pakistan Army is a national force and it does not belong to a specific school of thought or party”. Currently, he said, the parties having majority support have made the governments in the centre and provinces. Holding talks among political parties and responding to them was the prerogative of the political parties, he added.
He said, “Nevertheless, it is welcoming that politicians sit together to resolve the matters among themselves instead of through anarchist and violent politics”.
In response to May 9 riots and military courts, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif said the events of May 9, 2023, were not just the army’s issue but one that concerned the entire nation. “The case of May 9 is not the case of the Pakistan Army, it is the case of the people of Pakistan,” he said.
He said that military courts have been a part of Pakistan’s judicial system for decades, in line with the constitution and law. “Military courts have been established for decades, in accordance with the constitution and law,” he said.
“The International Court of Justice has endorsed this whole process. Those accused in military courts have the right to a lawyer, they can present evidence and witnesses, go through cross-examination, and enjoy other legal rights. If punished, those criminals can petition the COAS in a court of appeal and also have the right to apply to high courts and the Supreme Court.” He said.
He also reminded that those who were now criticizing the military courts had previously supported them. “Those who are speaking now were the ones who previously supported military courts,” he added.
Recalling that the people who are against the military court sentencing had earlier claimed that the army was involved in the May 9 attacks, he said: “They used to say that it was the army’s people who did this, so now be happy that our own people are being punished.”
He said young people have been manipulated through toxic propaganda to stand against institutions and the state. “Parents should see how their children have been used,” he said.
He also pointed out the role of some individuals in poisoning the minds of the youth for their own political gains. “Some people poison the minds of the youth for their own political purposes,” he added.
He said the process of justice would continue until the planners and actors of May 9 were brought to justice
The DG ISPR said there was a coordinated conspiracy and planning behind the May 9 events. Those involved in this plot must be held accountable, he added.
He said, “Even in November 2024, we saw the continuation of the events of May 9″. The military was not deployed to control violent crowds, rather it was only limited to the Red Zone, he clarified.
He said that the security personnel deployed in Islamabad were not given firearms during the November protest. When the political leadership fled the scene, “false propaganda” was spread on social media, he added.
Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif said, “the law allows peaceful protests, but violence goes beyond that. “However, if you attack the police or Rangers, that is political terrorism,” he said.
He said that fake news was used to divert attention from the chaos. “Fake news was used to distract from the meaningless unrest,” he said.
He further asserted that the army does not take sides with any particular political party or ideology, saying: “The army is neither opposed to nor in support of any particular political party or ideology.”
Regarding violence in Kurram District, the DG ISPR said it was important to understand the background of the situation. “This is a complex social problem and a very old issue. It is an issue related to a tribal conflict and a land dispute,” he said.
He said, “Unfortunately, the [issue escalated] because of the provincial government’s misplaced priorities. Irrespective of the type of conflict — whether tribal or related to land disputes — the provincial government and the politicians need to resolve this through dialogue instead of putting the onus on institutions”.
He said that the violence in Kurram worsened because it was given a “sectarian colour through fake news and propaganda”. “This is why it is important to focus on issues of the province, especially places like Kurram, instead of engaging in politics of incitement.
The DG ISPR said, “the People should sit together and resolve the matter through dialogue, finding a middle ground. Law enforcement agencies and the military will play a positive role whenever they can, but this matter must be resolved by politicians. The military and law enforcement will act on the government’s decisions”.