Political-criminal nexus facilitating terrorism in KP: DG ISPR

PESHAWAR: Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Friday stated that the nexus between the political and criminal elements is facilitating terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

He made these remarks during a press conference at the Peshawar Corps Headquarters amid the recent surge in terror attacks in the region.

The DG ISPR issued a stern warning to terrorists’ facilitators, adding that any TTP sympathizer in Pakistan providing support to terrorists has three options.

“Make them surrender, assist the Armed Forces, or face the consequences,” he added. “The state will take all necessary action to safeguard its sovereignty from terrorists.”

He added that governance gaps in KP were being paid for by the blood of security personnel.

“Appeasement of terrorists and their facilitators is never and not a policy,” he asserted, adding that the state and its institutions would not be bothered by any political distortions.

“The state and its people will not and cannot be left to the whims of any single person who is singularly the most responsible person for bringing terrorism back to KP.”

970 terrorists killed in 2025

Highlighting the scope of counter-terrorism operations, the military spokesperson said that at least 917 terrorists were killed in 10,115 intelligence-based operations in 2025 in KP so far.

He added that 132 civilians and 311 Pakistan Army soldiers were among 516 martyred during the period.

The spokesperson further maintained that in 2024, 769 terrorists, including 58 Afghan terrorists, were killed in 14,535 operations.

During these operations, 272 army and FC personnel and 140 policemen were martyred, while 165 civilians were killed.

Factors behind terrorism in KP

The DG ISPR further outlined the factors behind the surge in terrorism, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said that the non-implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP), politicising the issue of terrorism, India’s use of Afghanistan as a base for terrorism, the terrorism-crime nexus, and terrorists possessing US weapons in Afghanistan are key reasons behind the militancy in KP.

Talking about NAP, the army spokesperson added that a comprehensive plan was devised to counter terrorism in the region with all stakeholders on board, but it has not been implemented in letter and spirit.

He further added that the government in 2021 revised the NAP, with all parties agreeing to fully implement all 14 points of the National Action Plan.

He asserted that the first point of NAP states the kinetic actions against terrorists, which were being done. He then went on to question the work being done on the remaining 13 points.

TTP leader Noor Wali Mehsud Killing?

The DG ISPR, while answering the question about the possible killing of the banned terror outfit Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) leader Noor Wali Mehsud, said that ” we have taken notice of the news circulating on social media and also the statement of the Afghan government’s spokesperson.

“Afghanistan is a neighbourly, Islamic country. We have historical connections, cultural connections. Pakistan has hosted Afghan refugees for four decades. We only say one thing to the Afghan government: do not allow your soil to be used for terrorism against Pakistan,” he noted.

He pointed out that trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan was also continuing, and many Afghans came to Pakistan for medical reasons. “So we only have an extremely fair demand: don’t let your soil be used by non-state actors and terrorist groups.”

No one is bigger than Pakistan

The DG ISPR said, “Who is saying that Afghanistan will guarantee security in Pakistan? Who is saying that we should talk to terrorists and not carry out operations?

Who said that I do not accept a provincial government that supports operations? Should we sit with India and talk to the one who climaxes? Should we sit with India and talk to the one who plans?”

The Pakistan Army spokesperson said that there is a political and criminal nexus behind terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

If an individual thinks that his identity is bigger than Pakistan, we will not accept this; national institutions will not be affected by any political manipulation.

The DG ISPR said that terrorists were given space under a well-thought-out plan, politics was done on the issue of terrorism, and the nation was confused, and operations against terrorism were weakened with misleading narratives. Why should you and I sacrifice ourselves every day for someone’s politics or interests?”

DG ISI Gen (R) Faiz Hameed’s Court Marshal

DG ISPR says that all the requirements of justice regarding the allegations against former DG ISI Faiz Hameed will be fulfilled.

During a press conference in Peshawar, on a journalist’s question regarding former DG ISI Faiz Hameed, the Pakistan Army spokesperson clarified that the process of self-accountability in the Pakistan Army is very coherent and good, but the process of self-accountability in the army does not work just on allegations.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that the one being tried is the former DG ISI, and this is a very important matter that has a legal procedure; everyone should understand that all the requirements of justice will be fulfilled in this matter.

DG ISPR said that there is no need for delay in the Field General Court Martial, the requirements of justice will be fulfilled, and all rights for defense are available in the Pakistani Armed Forces.

The spokesperson clarified that you should not bring us into politics; politicians are respectable for us, but your politics is not above the state, keep your army away from baseless rhetoric and misleading propaganda.

The DG ISPR said that the party making the narrative has a microphone; it can give a statement whenever it wants, but the spokesperson of the Pakistan Army cannot sit and answer anyone every day, and of course, you would not want that either.