General Michael Kurilla, head of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), has called Pakistan a “phenomenal partner” in the ongoing global fight against terrorism, highlighting its effective operations against Daesh and strong intelligence-sharing with Washington.
Speaking before the House Armed Services Committee in Washington on Tuesday, General Kurilla praised Islamabad’s recent counterterrorism efforts, particularly against Daesh-Khorasan (ISIS-K), and emphasized the strength of the intelligence relationship between the two countries.
“Pakistan is in an active counter-terrorism fight right now, and they have been a phenomenal partner,” Kurilla told the panel.
“They’ve gone after Daesh-Khorasan with precision, capturing several high-value individuals and conducting targeted operations.”
He cited a case from last year in which Pakistani security forces arrested and extradited a Daesh militant accused of orchestrating the deadly 2021 Abbey Gate bombing during the U.S. withdrawal from Kabul — a blast that killed 13 American troops and over 160 Afghan civilians.
Kurilla also revealed that Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, personally informed him of the capture of a senior Daesh-K figure.
The CENTCOM chief noted that Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban were conducting parallel operations along the border region, coordinating efforts to dismantle Daesh’s growing foothold in the area.
Despite historical tensions over issues like drone strikes, cross-border militancy, and shifting geopolitical alliances, Kurilla emphasized that U.S.-Pakistan military ties, especially in intelligence cooperation, remain robust.
In May, Islamabad and Washington held a bilateral dialogue to reaffirm their joint commitment to combating threats from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Daesh. Another round of talks is scheduled later this month.
U.S. officials have increasingly recognized Pakistan’s role in maintaining regional security, even as the country battles internal challenges from militant insurgencies and political instability.
