DG ISPR Ahmed Sharif press conference

PESHAWAR: Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that nearly 30 suicide bombers involved in attacks over the past two years were Afghan nationals, indicating that India is exploiting Afghanistan to orchestrate terrorism against Pakistan.

Addressing an important press conference at Corps Headquarters Peshawar, the DGD ISPR said that a terror-crime nexus lies behind ongoing terrorist activities, emphasizing that India provides complete backing and support to these militants.

Political-criminal nexus

DG ISPR said that a “political-criminal nexus” is behind the recent surge in terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

The military’s spokesperson stated that certain elements are promoting a false narrative against ongoing anti-terror operations, which he said not only misleads the public but also mocks the sacrifices of Pakistan’s security forces.

He added that this deliberate campaign reflects the political-criminal nexus is behind the terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan — and particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) — has battled the scourge of terrorism for the past two decades.

He said the purpose of today’s press conference was to review the security situation in KP. “Together with the people of KP, we are determined to uproot terrorism,” the DG ISPR said, praising the province’s citizens for confronting militancy with courage.

Lt General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry paid tribute to the martyrs of KP, saying the brave sons of the soil have written a history of valor with their blood.

‘Political–criminal nexus fuels terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’

Director General ISPR Lt General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that a political–criminal nexus is driving terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). He warned that no one will be permitted to barter away the rights or future of the people of KP for personal gain.

He added that the political alliances supporting terrorists are not operating effectively in Sindh and Punjab, but that KP remains targeted by such collusion.

The DG ISPR emphasized that the state, the armed forces, and law-enforcement agencies will not tolerate any such alliances, and that security forces will make life difficult for terrorists and their facilitators.

He warned that facilitators of terrorism—regardless of their position—will be subjected to action, stressing a zero-tolerance approach toward anyone aiding militant networks.

Operations, causalities details

The DG ISPR provided operational statistics, saying that during 2024 some 435 intelligence-based operations were carried out in KP, while daily operations now average 40.

He said that in 2024, 577 personnel were martyred during operations, and in 2025 to date, 10,115 intelligence-based operations have been conducted.

Pakistan Army spokesperson added that 917 terrorists have been eliminated during these operations. The DG ISPR further said that 516 precious lives were lost in KP in 2025.

He noted that over the past decade the greatest number of foreign militants were neutralized last year.

‘Failure to fully implement NAP’

Addressing root causes, he identified several factors responsible for the continued presence of terrorism: failure to fully implement the National Action Plan, politicization of terrorism-related issues that confuses the nation, and external encouragement — specifically alleging India’s role in inciting Afghanistan against Pakistan.

He also cited safe havens and resupply of modern weapons in Afghanistan as contributing factors.

The DG ISPR alleged that nearly 30 Afghan suicide attackers were used over the last two years, which, he said, indicates external exploitation of Afghanistan for violent ends. He warned of a terror-crime nexus and asserted that terrorists receive full backing from India.

Recalling the National Action Plan, he said the first of its 14 points was the elimination of these terrorists.

He stated that the first point of the 14-point National Action Plan (NAP) was to eliminate terrorists, yet the plan was not fully implemented, and subsequent governments revised its structure without meaningful execution.

“If every problem could be solved through dialogue, then no war would ever take place,” he remarked, referencing historical battles to emphasize that decisive action is sometimes unavoidable.

Governance gaps, poor policy implementation

DG ISPR Lt General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry criticized that while all political parties had agreed to eradicate terror networks and smuggling, voices of resistance emerge whenever law enforcement agencies act against such elements. He stressed that KP has borne the brunt of this struggle, where security forces and intelligence agencies are conducting daily operations to ensure peace.

He lamented that governance gaps and poor policy implementation have allowed militants and facilitators to find space, forcing the armed forces to fill the void with their blood and sacrifice.

Referring to national security decisions, he said: “In 2014, it was unanimously decided to repatriate Afghan refugees, and the same decision was reaffirmed in 2021. So where did this idea come from that they should not be sent back?”

“Madrasas were to be registered under NAP, but that too was never implemented.”

‘US left weapons in Afghanistan’

General Ahmed Sharif highlighted that the United States left behind $7.2 billion worth of weapons in Afghanistan, many of which have now fallen into the hands of militants.

He noted that in the past three months alone, 284 counter-terrorism operations have been conducted—70% of them in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which shows the intensity of the threat in the province.

Concluding his address, DG ISPR said: “The Army Chief has clearly stated that our institutions are compensating for governance failures with their blood. The need of the hour is unity, clarity of purpose, and the political will to act decisively against terrorism.”

Bloomberg interview

It may be recalled that a few days ago, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, in an interview with the international magazine Bloomberg, stated that Pakistan’s defense development strategy has always been based on incorporating effective and indigenous technological platforms.

He asserted that Pakistan remains open to acquiring technology from both Eastern and Western sources, but is not engaged in any arms race with India.

DG ISPR Lt General Ahmed Sharif further asserted that Pakistan has never attempted to manipulate or conceal facts or figures, reaffirming that India downed no Pakistani aircraft during the conflict.

“Our development strategy has always been to induct the most effective, efficient as well as economic platforms and technology,” DG ISPR said. “We are open to all sorts of technology.”

He added that Pakistan is “not engaged in a military catch-up or arms race” with India, noting that its military budget is “a fraction” of India’s. “We don’t have the luxury of unlimited resources at our disposal,” he said.