RAWALPINDI – Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry delivered one of its strongest warnings yet to terrorist groups, making it clear that there is no possibility of negotiations and that militants must either surrender their weapons under the law or face complete elimination.
Addressing a press conference on the country’s security situation, ISPR chief Chaudhry said Pakistan’s security forces have intensified their nationwide counterterrorism campaign, conducting 40,348 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) so far this year against militant networks.
“The choice for terrorists is simple: surrender your weapons according to the law or we will eliminate you,” the military spokesperson said, underscoring Pakistan’s uncompromising stance against terrorism.
Highlighting the scale of ongoing operations, the DG ISPR revealed that security forces have neutralized 2,084 confirmed terrorists this year. On average, forces carried out 194 intelligence-based operations every day, eliminating nearly 10 terrorists daily in what he described as an unprecedented operational tempo.
He said the campaign reflects the coordinated efforts of the Pakistan Army, intelligence agencies, police and other law enforcement institutions working together to dismantle terrorist infrastructure across the country.
Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the largest share of counterterrorism operations has been carried out in Balochistan, where more than 31,000 intelligence-based operations have been conducted over the past five years. He added that thousands of operations have also been launched in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where militant activity continues to pose a serious security challenge.
He rejected what he called a deliberate campaign to portray Balochistan as slipping out of state control, insisting that security forces remain firmly engaged against terrorist elements across the province.
Paying tribute to those who lost their lives, the DG ISPR said 819 people have embraced martyrdom in terrorism-related incidents this year. Among them were 303 soldiers of the Pakistan Army, who sacrificed their lives during counterterrorism operations, while 322 civilians were also martyred in attacks carried out by militants.
He called sacrifices of security personnel and civilians as a testament to Pakistan’s unwavering resolve to defeat terrorism. The military spokesperson disclosed that 28 suicide bombings have occurred across the country this year, calling them a major security concern.
ISPR chief alleged that Afghan nationals were involved in several major terrorist incidents, including attacks in Tank and Karachi, adding that evidence collected during investigations pointed to cross-border involvement in multiple cases.
More updates to follow…
