Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, has stated that 80 per cent of terrorist incidents in Pakistan have taken place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, attributing this largely to an enabling political environment for militants in the province.
Briefing senior journalists on the security situation and counter-terrorism operations carried out in 2025, the military spokesperson said that security forces conducted 75,175 intelligence-based operations across the country during the year.
These operations were in response to 5,400 terrorist incidents, which resulted in the martyrdom of 1,235 civilians and law enforcement personnel.
He said that during 2025, a total of 5,397 major counter-terrorism operations were carried out, leading to the killing of 2,597 terrorists.
According to the DG ISPR, 14,658 operations were conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 58,778 in Balochistan, and 1,739 in other parts of the country.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry further revealed that 27 suicide attacks took place during the year, the majority of which occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He stressed that terrorists have no connection with Islam, Pakistan or Balochistan, adding that the fight against Khawarij is a collective national struggle.
He said terrorism resurged after the political changes in Afghanistan in 2021 and the Doha Agreement. He alleged that terrorist groups continue to receive shelter and support inside Afghanistan, and that modern weapons worth 7.2 billion dollars, left behind by the United States, are being used in terrorist activities.
The DG ISPR said Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban to prevent their soil from being used for terrorism against Pakistan.
However, after diplomatic efforts failed, Pakistan carried out firm actions against terrorist elements along the Pak-Afghan border in October 2025, targeting hostile posts.
He also accused India of sponsoring terrorism, claiming that during the so-called Operation Sindoor, civilians, including women and children, were deliberately targeted. He said Pakistan responded effectively during Marka-e-Haq and reiterated that the country would go to any length to defend its sovereignty.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry emphasised that all political parties are in agreement on the National Action Plan and that its full implementation is essential to eliminate terrorism.
He added that this is not just the army’s war but a national one, warning that without decisive action, schools, offices and streets would not remain safe in the future.
