The military’s public relations chief, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, on Friday accused unspecified actors of deliberately providing safe havens and support to militants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), saying that deliberate weakening of governance and public services in parts of the province allowed violent groups to take root — a price local communities have paid in blood.
Speaking at a press briefing at Corps Headquarters in Peshawar, the director-general of Inter-Services Public Relations reviewed counter-terrorism operations in KP and renewed the armed forces’ pledge to eradicate militancy. He paid tribute to the sacrifices of security personnel and civilians, and warned that those who shelter or facilitate foreign fighters face three choices: hand them over to the state, join the state’s counter-terrorism effort, or be prepared to face decisive action.
Key operational figures presented by DG ISPR:
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Since 2024, intelligence-based operations in KP numbered 14,535, averaging about 40 such actions daily.
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In 2024 operations killed 769 militants (about 2.1 per day); 577 personnel and civilians lost their lives, including 272 army personnel, 140 policemen and 165 civilians.
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In 2025 (to Sept. 15) there were 10,115 intelligence-based operations in KP, resulting in 917 militants killed (roughly 3.5 per day); 516 personnel and civilians were martyred this year, including 311 army personnel, 73 police and 132 civilians.
Lieutenant General Chaudhry outlined five principal reasons why militancy persists: failure to fully implement the National Action Plan; politicisation of militancy; alleged use of Afghan territory as basing ground for anti-Pakistan groups; availability of modern weapons and sanctuaries across the border; and local political protection for militant-criminal networks.
He displayed what he said were images of foreign-origin fighters killed in operations, and referenced weapons allegedly left in Afghanistan after the U.S. withdrawal. The DG ISPR argued that strong governance, functioning law-enforcement and the absence of political protection are what keep militancy at bay in provinces such as Punjab and Sindh — and urged similar standards for KP.
On justice and prosecutions, he warned that legal delays undermine the campaign: many terrorism and weapons cases remain pending in KP courts, slowing convictions and prolonging danger. He also raised concerns about under-resourced counter-terrorism units in the province, noting the CTD in KP has some 3,200 staff only.
Throughout his remarks the military spokesman called for national unity behind the National Action Plan, urged politicians to stop “confusing narratives” and condemned what he described as a “criminal-political nexus” that shelters militants and criminal gangs. He stressed the state’s resolve: those who facilitate foreign militants will be squeezed and will face the consequences.
The DG closed by appealing to political leaders and provincial authorities to fill governance gaps — saying the security forces cannot be a substitute for stable civil administration — and reiterated that Pakistan’s security rests with its institutions and people.
