The Pakistan Army has delivered a stern and unequivocal warning to terrorists and those who facilitate them, firmly rejecting any notion of dialogue as a solution to the nation’s ongoing militancy crisis. This decisive stance comes in the wake of intensifying clashes across the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
During a recent press conference in Peshawar, Army spokesman Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry voiced grave concerns, asserting that a deliberate strategy had created fertile ground for terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, leading to significant harm for both the public and law enforcement agencies. He provided extensive details on the alarming escalation of terrorism in the region, noting a marked increase in militancy since the Taliban assumed control of Kabul in 2021.
Lt Gen Chaudhry attributed this resurgence primarily to the inadequate implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP). This critical framework, initially drafted in 2014 following a devastating terrorist attack on an army school in Peshawar, outlined 20 points for combating militancy. It was subsequently updated in 2021 with 14 key objectives.
He clarified that while the NAP includes kinetic force as one measure against militants, the majority of its points address other crucial areas such as strengthening law and order, crafting effective counter-narratives, prosecuting militants, and repatriating illegal foreign nationals. He criticized the provincial government and local administration for their perceived failures in enforcing these broader aspects of the plan.
“The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continue to bear the brunt, paying with their blood and sacrifices even today,” Lt Gen Chaudhry stated, directing his criticism towards the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by jailed former premier Imran Khan, which governs the province. He accused the provincial government of deliberately undermining governance and public welfare while promoting misleading narratives.
Presenting concrete figures, the spokesman reported that in 2024, security forces conducted 14,535 operations, resulting in the deaths of 769 militants. Tragically, these operations also led to the loss of 577 security personnel and civilians, including 272 army soldiers, 140 police officers, and 165 civilians. By September 15, 2025, an additional 10,115 operations had been carried out, neutralizing 917 terrorists and claiming 516 lives, comprising 303 army personnel, 73 police officers, and 132 civilians.
Lt Gen Chaudhry emphasized that the sheer volume of operations and militants eliminated underscores the security forces’ relentless pursuit of terrorists. However, he reiterated that a lack of robust governance has inadvertently created opportunities for militancy to thrive.
Afghanistan also faced strong criticism for its failure to eliminate terrorist safe havens. The spokesman confirmed that Pakistan has engaged with Afghan authorities at multiple levels to urge them to take decisive action against individuals involved in cross-border terrorism. He revealed that Afghan nationals played a role in terrorism within Pakistan, with 161 Afghans killed in 2024 and another 135 intercepted and killed while attempting to cross the border. He added that 30 suicide bombers involved in attacks last year were identified as Afghan.
Furthermore, Mr. Chaudhry implicitly accused India of allegedly patronizing militancy in Afghanistan. He also highlighted the shortcomings of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s counter-terrorism department, noting its limited strength of 3,200 personnel and its failure to register 55 percent of religious seminaries in the province.
He concluded by asserting that the high concentration of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stems from a dangerous synergy between crime and militancy. He vehemently condemned the “political thought” that advocates for negotiations with terrorists over aggressive operations.
“It is absolutely clear who is promoting the idea of dialogues with those who massacred our children and defiled their remains,” he remarked, referencing former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s repeated calls for talks with militants as the path to peace. Lt Gen Chaudhry contended that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government should prioritize the protection of its people instead of “pleading with Afghanistan” for security.