Peshawar, October 10, 2025( Kamran Raja): Director General Inter Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, on Friday issued a stern warning to facilitators of “Fitnaul Khwarij” to immediately surrender these elements to the state or face robust and decisive military action.
Addressing a press conference at Corps Headquarters Peshawar, Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stated that facilitators have “no option but to cooperate with security forces in eliminating these terrorists or face forceful action.”
He made it clear that facilitation of “Fitnaul Khwarij” is unacceptable, reaffirming that the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign will continue despite political distractions or negative propaganda.
“The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan have borne the brunt of terrorism with unmatched courage and resilience. Their sacrifices will not go in vain. This war against terrorism is a battle for our survival and it will be fought collectively,” he said.
The DG ISPR highlighted that Indian sponsored proxies and non-state actors based inside Afghanistan are being used to launch attacks on Pakistan. He said border security is a shared responsibility between neighboring states but accused certain actors across the western border of facilitating terrorist groups, smuggling, and illicit narcotics trade, which negatively impact Pakistan’s internal stability.
He also warned that those who criticize anti-terror operations while supporting illicit trade and smuggling are abetting infiltration of subversive elements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“Operations against the crime-terror nexus and illicit trafficking will continue until these elements are eliminated at all costs,” he affirmed.
Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry described Afghanistan as a brotherly country and recalled Pakistan’s decades long support for Afghan refugees and trade facilitation. Referring to the Doha agreement, he emphasized that the interim Afghan government is obligated to ensure its soil is not used against Pakistan.
He noted that terrorism concerns have been raised at multiple levels, including recent visits to Afghanistan by Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif.
The DG ISPR reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to protect the lives and property of its citizens and not allow anyone to challenge the writ of the state. He also warned about the risks posed by the estimated $7.2 billion worth of weapons left in Afghanistan after the U.S. withdrawal, which have fuelled terrorism in the region.
Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry shared detailed counter-terror statistics , 14,535 intelligence based operations (IBOs) were conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa last year. 769 terrorists were eliminated in these operations. 577 individuals, including 271 security personnel and 165 civilians, were martyred. On average, 40 IBOs are conducted daily, eliminating around three terrorists each day. Since September 15, 10,115 IBOs have resulted in the neutralization of 917 terrorists and 516 fatalities, including 311 soldiers and 73 police personnel.
“The number of terrorists killed this year is higher than in the past decade,” the DG ISPR said. He also questioned why terrorists were not being effectively prosecuted in KP courts, emphasizing the need for a stronger legal response.
Referring to the National Action Plan (Pakistan), formulated after the 2014 Peshawar school massacre, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the plan has not been fully implemented beyond kinetic operations.
He pointed to gaps in legal reforms, madrasa regulation, and the capacity of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), noting that out of 4,355 religious seminaries in KP, only about 55% are registered.
“No talks can be held with anti-state elements or Fitnaul Khwarij who kill innocents and attack security forces. The policy of dialogue with such groups will no longer be tolerated,” he stated firmly.
Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry urged the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to stand by the security forces in breaking the political-criminal terror nexus, disrupting smuggling, and eradicating illicit trafficking all major drivers of terrorism in the region.
Reiterating the apolitical stance of the armed forces, he referred to 2023 Pakistan protests of May 9 as a “black day” and said that those involved in attacks on state institutions will be brought to justice. He also underlined the need for a strong judicial framework to counter social media propaganda that fuels terrorism.
“We fight for Pakistan and support the democratic parliamentary system. No individual or group will be allowed to politicize the blood of our martyrs. National unity is critical to defeating terrorism and ensuring peace and prosperity,” he concluded.