Locals in Balochistan helping identify terrorists: DG ISPR
Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif, Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), told students in a special session of the army's internship programme that intelligence-based operations (IBOs) rely heavily on local cooperation.
"We don't conduct sweeping operations unless locals support us by identifying threats. Military presence alone doesn't secure an area – local ownership is the key," he said in a candid discussion with the students, where he addressed questions surrounding military operations, regional concerns, and national unity.
"If a citizen provides shelter to terrorists or keeps explosives in his house, he will have to face the consequences," Lt Gen Sharif said while dispelling the impression that military operations target communities.
"The entire region or village cannot be punished for the terrorism of one person," he added. "Our operations are not about displacing communities or punishing entire regions. We only move against confirmed terrorists based on solid intelligence."
He said security forces were working to expose not only terrorists but also their facilitators and supporters. "The people of Balochistan are standing up against terrorism and pointing out those who harbour or facilitate terrorists," Lt Gen Sharif added.
Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has been plagued by a decades-long Baloch separatist insurgency as well as attacks by religious extremists. The province has seen frequent assaults on security forces, government installations, and Chinese-backed projects.
The military spokesperson praised the people of Balochistan for what he described as growing resistance to terrorist groups, saying many were "helpless and fed up with the terrorists." He cited the examples of young Baloch professionals, including female deputy commissioners, as signs of progress.
He specially mentioned Dr Samad Yar Jang, a Cambridge-trained scientist, and Shahzaib Rind, Pakistani Wushu and Kickboxing champion, known for his success in Karate Combat. He added that Baloch women now serve in senior administrative positions, such as deputy commissioners, which he said symbolise progress and empowerment. The talented and educated Baloch youth has become the masters of its destiny, he added.
"There's a common misconception that Baloch youth are disconnected from Pakistan. In reality, they understand the bond between their province and the nation very well," the military spokesperson said.
Lt Gen Sharif also paid tribute to Major Muhammad Anwar Kakar, an officer martyred in a bomb attack in Balochistan. Major Kakar Shaheed, a brave son of the soil, had previously played a key role in repelling an attack on the PC Hotel in Gwadar in 2019, he added. "From officers to civilians, sacrifices are being made every day to keep Pakistan secure."
Referring to the ideological roots of Pakistan, Lt Gen Sharif said that Pakistan was created on the basis of "Kalima" not on ethnic or linguistic lines. "The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has taught us that no race or ethnicity is superior to another. That's the foundation of our country," he added.
He also pointed out the diverse ethnic makeup of Balochistan, saying that more than 30% of its population comprises Pashtuns, and many Baloch tribes live outside the province in Sindh and South Punjab. "Pakistan is not just a country; it's an idea rooted in unity, faith, and purpose," he added.
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