RAWALPINDI, Dec 27 (APP): Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, reiterating Pakistan Armed Forces’ firm commitment to curb menace of terrorism, on Friday vowed that war against terror networks, Fitna-al Khawarij and their facilitators, would continue till complete elimination of the last Khawarij fron the country’s soil.
Addressing a news conference, the DG ISPR said the record high number of terrorists were killed during the year
2024.
Sharing the details, he said that a total of 59,775 operations were conducted by the security forces during the current year. “During these successful operations, 925 terrorists, including khawarij, were sent to hell while numerous were arrested,” he said.
He said that the number of terrorists killed was the largest in the last five years. “More than 169 operations are being conducted by the Pakistan Army, law enforcement, intelligence agencies and the police on a daily basis,” he added.
The DG ISPR said that the forces also successfully eliminated 73 “high-value targets, most-wanted terrorists during the operations”. These, he said, included Fitna al Khawarij leader from Malakand Division Mian Syed alias Qureshi, Mohsin Qadir of Fitna al Khawarij’s Malakand Division, Attaullah alias Mehran who was involved in an attack on a diplomatic convoy in Swat, Fadaur Rehman alias Lal from Zhob Division, Ali Rehman and Abu Yahya.
“Some 27 Afghan terrorists were also sent to hell”, he added.
Paying rich tribute to brave sons of the soil for sacrificing their lives for the country’s peace, Gen Ahmed Sharif said that 383 brave officers and soldiers embraced martyrdom during the counter-terrorism operations. “We have no doubt that we will continue this war against terrorism until the death of the last khawarij,” he said.
DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said, “ Pakistan will leave no stone unturned to eliminate the terrorist networks and keep our citizens safe”. “Everyone knows that Pakistan has wholeheartedly tried for peacekeeping in Afghanistan. Pakistan has played the most important role in the stability of Afghanistan,” he added.
He said that Pakistan had pointed out multiple times to the Afghan interim government that Fitna al Khawarij and various other terrorists have continued terrorist activities in Pakistan while using the Afghan soil. “The Army Chief has a clear and straight-forward stance on this: that Pakistan has reservations on banned organisations sanctuaries, support, and unrestrained activities on Afghan territory,” he said.
He went on to say that all evidence related to terrorism could be traced back to the safe havens, enjoyed by terrorists in Afghanistan.
The DG ISPR said that the repatriation of illegal Afghan citizens from Pakistan was underway. Since September 2023 till now, 8,15,000 illegal Afghan citizens have been sent back to Afghanistan, he added.
He said, “The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has said that one Pakistani’s life and protection is above Afghanistan,” adding that if the terrorists’ “blood-stained hands receive strength and aid from across the border, then the status quo is no more acceptable”.
Gen Ahmed Sharif said that work under the Western Border Management Regime was near to completion and the Armed Forces had already cleared “72 per cent of the area in the tribal districts from minefields”. “During this, mines and unexploded ordinances have been recovered,” he added.
He said “Not only geographical borders, but technical and legal actions are being taken step-wise to protect your digital borders as well.”
The DG ISPR said that following the directions of the government, the Army was also currently playing its role in a crackdown against smuggling, drugs, electricity theft and hoarders. “Different nationwide operations were carried out under a holistic strategy, following which there has been a significant decrease in illegal activities,” he added.
He said after the imposition of the One Document Regime, illegal border crossings have significantly declined. There has also been a marked difference in the use of passports, and smuggling has also decreased, he added.
Regarding Line of Control (LoC) violation by India, he said that India carried out different ceasefire violations on a micro level several times during the current year. “These included 25 ceasefire violations, 564 speculative fires, 61 airspace violations, and 181 tactical airspace violations,” he added.
He said that Armed Forces were fully aware of the dangers posed by India on the eastern front. “India, as usual, is planning to establish dominance in the region while trying to divert attention from its internal conflicts,” he remarked.
The DG ISPR said: “This year, the Indian government also carried out some false flag operations, intending to divert attention from its internal politics and tensions. All information related to these false flag operations was spread through propaganda social media accounts linked to India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), he added.
He said, “At the LoC, Pakistan Army possesses full ability to counter any aggression from India. This is also clear, that at any expense, for our integrity and self-determination, we are ready to render sacrifices at all times.”
He said India was carrying out massive atrocities in India Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and was “killing innocent Kashmiris during illegal operations for the whole world to see”. “Our principal stance is to stand with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, which we will continue to do. The Indian government is openly employing state terrorism tactics, including the target killings of Sikhs,” he said.
Regarding counter-terrorism efforts in Balochistan, the DG ISPR said that some high-value targets were eliminated in the region. “Baloch terrorists’ most-wanted leaders Sana alias Baro, Bashir alias Pir Jan, Niaz alias Gumman, Zareef Shah Jehan, Hazrat Ali alias Asad, Lak Jan Chakirabadi alias Sawara were also sent to hell,” he said.
He said that two suicide bombers — Insafullah alias Talha and Roohullah hailing from Afghanistan were apprehended by security forces and “their evil intentions were thwarted”.
Ten suicide bombing jackets, and more than 250kg of explosives and weapons were also recovered from them, he added.
Referring to statements made by Adeela Khudabaksh and Mahil Abdul Hamid — women terrorists arrested from Balochistan, Gen Ahmed Sharif said they both “revealed how terrorists brainwashed innocent people and were using the youth to rebel against the state”.
“Due to state institution’s excellent plan of action, 14 wanted terrorists put down their arms and joined the national mainstream, including Najeebullah alias Ustad Darwesh, Rasheed alias Tamash, and Fitna al Khawarij leader Naheed.”
Reiterating Pakistan’s unwavering support for the people of India Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the DG ISPR said, “Our principled stance remains firm: we will continue to extend legal, diplomatic, and moral support to the oppressed people of occupied Kashmir”.
Regarding the armed forces contributions to public welfare, he said highlighted the Pakistan Army’s active engagement in social and community development projects. “The Pakistan Army is wholeheartedly involved in initiatives aimed at public welfare, focusing on improving the lives of the people,” he said.
He said various public welfare initiatives were launched under the guidance of Army Chief General Asim Munir. “Projects aimed at the betterment of the people are being actively pursued,” he said.
Sharing details, he said 6,500 educational programmes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, construction of three dams in Balochistan aimed at enhancing the quality of life in these regions were also included.
He said the military actively participated in projects aimed at improving the lives of citizens. These efforts, he said, demonstrated the army’s commitment to social and economic progress across the country.
He went on to say that ‘”Under the ‘Ilm Tolo Da Para’ {Education for All] initiative’ educational facilities were provided to over 700,000 students in KP. Similarly, he said in the health sector, over 113 medical camps were set up to provide free health care facilities to the locals.
He said in Balochistan, out of 140-kilometer-long railway track between Sibi and Harnai, 93 kilometers were repaired and reopened after 17 years. After completion of the Kachhi Canal project, over 65000 acres of land have been irrigated in the first phase as of November 2024, he said.
The DG ISPR said some 15,825 acres of land have been brought under cultivation under the Green Pakistan Initiative Program so far. On the directives of COAS, development projects in Gwardar were being completed on priority, he added.
He said over 90 per cent work has also been completed on integrated border management system at Chaman and Torkham. Similarly, work was also being carried out on Quetta Safe City Project, he added.
He said, “Training begins from the very first day of joining the Pakistan Army”. A variety of training programmes were continuously conducted to ensure the highest standards of readiness and professionalism, he added.
He said extensive exercises, both within the army and in collaboration with allied nations, were a regular feature of our operations. Pre-induction training was provided to 11,071 personnel from 31 units during the current year besides conduction of eight different international joint exercises, he said and added that in February this year, PATs competitions were held in which 12 countries participated.
He went on to say that the Pakistan Navy also participated in 25 multinational exercises during this year. Similarly, in the Exercise Industrial 2024 held in October, 24 countries participated, he added.
He said the long-term War Games ‘Hikmat-e-Nau’ was also successfully completed during the current year. “Remember, a safe Pakistan is a strong Pakistan,” he stressed.
Urging the need for collective responsibility, the DG ISPR said, “The need of the hour is for all of us to come together and play our roles, both individually and collectively, to contribute to the nation’s progress and security”.
