Latest news with #ISIS-Khorasan
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Business Standard
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
MEA counters US general, says Pakistan's terror record 'very clear'
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday described the recent Pahalgam attack as yet another instance of cross-border terrorism, stating that Pakistan's track record on the issue is well known, news agency PTI reported. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remark at his weekly press briefing, in response to comments by US Army General Michael Kurilla, who had spoken about Washington maintaining ties with both India and Pakistan. US general says Washington can balance ties with India and Pakistan General Kurilla, Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), during a testimony before the US House Armed Services Committee, said that the US can have relationships with both nations and that it's not a binary choice. 'We should assess each relationship on its own merits and focus on the positives,' he said. 'Pakistan's record speaks for itself', says MEA in firm response Commenting on this, Jaiswal said, 'Pakistan's record speaks for itself, it is very clear.' India recalls 26/11 and Osama bin Laden to highlight terror links MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing the media, said the Pahalgam attack is merely the latest in a series of cross-border terror incidents, pointing once again to Pakistan's role in harbouring terrorism. He recalled that Tahawwur Rana, one of the accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, was recently extradited from the United States to India. 'None of us have forgotten that Pakistan gave refuge to Osama bin Laden,' he added. 'And it's telling that Dr Shakil Afridi, who helped locate Bin Laden, remains imprisoned by the Pakistani military.' US highlights Pakistan's counter-terror efforts against ISIS-K General Michael 'Erik' Kurilla surprised many during a recent Congressional hearing by commending Pakistan's efforts in countering the ISIS-Khorasan threat. General Michael Kurilla noted that Pakistan is actively engaged in counter-terrorism efforts, stating, 'Since the beginning of 2024, they've faced over 1,000 terrorist attacks in their western regions, resulting in around 700 deaths among civilians and security personnel.' Backing his statement, Reuters reported that Pakistan has ramped up operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan against the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and ISIS splinter groups. Intelligence-sharing with the United States, though limited, has reportedly resumed. India silent on Asim Munir invite; MEA says ask Americans Responding to queries about reports of Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir being invited to the US Army Day celebrations on June 14, 'On the matter of invitations, I would urge you to find out who exactly has been invited,' he told the reporters. 'Whether foreign leaders are included or not is a question best answered by the American side,' Jaiswal said. When asked about India's relationship with Bangladesh, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the ties between the two nations are well established. 'I've said this several times, we seek a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh, rooted in the aspirations of both our peoples,' he noted. India monitoring West Asia closely, assures diaspora of safety On a separate question regarding the situation in West Asia, Jaiswal confirmed that India is closely monitoring developments in the region. 'Yes, we have a large diaspora there. Our embassies across West Asia are in constant touch with the Indian community, advising them on matters of safety and security,' he added. (With agency inputs)
Hindustan Times
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘See its record…': India on US general calling Pakistan a ‘phenomenal partner'
NEW DELHI: India on Thursday pushed back against a senior US general's characterisation of Pakistan as a 'phenomenal partner' in counter-terrorism by pointing to the Pakistani military's long-standing support for cross-border terrorism and the presence of terrorist leaders and groups in the neighbouring country. The US Central Command chief, General Michael Kurilla, created a flutter by saying during a hearing by the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday that the US needs to have a relationship with both India and Pakistan because of the Pakistani military's role in countering threats from the Islamic State-Khorasan Province or ISIS-Khorasan. When external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was asked about Kurilla's remarks at a weekly media briefing, he responded by highlighting the track record of Pakistan in the context of supporting cross-border terrorism and its links to terrorist individuals and groups, including slain al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden. Referring to comments made by interlocutors in the United States, Jaiswal said: 'See the record of Pakistan, of what Pakistan actually is, [it] is very clear. We all know the Pahalgam attack is only a recent example of cross-border terrorism. 'I would remind you that only recently, one of the conspirators of [the 2008 Mumbai attacks], Tahawwur Rana was extradited from the United States to India. Obviously, none of us have forgotten that Pakistan gave shelter to Osama bin Laden.' Bin Laden was killed in a raid by US special forces in May 2011 while sheltering in a compound located close to key military facilities in the Pakistani garrison town of Abbottabad. Jaiswal said it was also significant that a Pakistani doctor, Shakil Afridi, who helped locate bin Laden, is 'still imprisoned by the Pakistani military'. Afridi played a key role in ascertaining bin Laden's presence in the compound in Abbottabad, located a stone's throw from the Pakistan Military Academy. Kurilla's remarks did not go down well in New Delhi because they came at a time when India has intensified its global efforts to highlight Pakistan's role as an epicentre of terrorism, as well as its backing for cross-border terrorism in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22 that killed 26 civilians. During his testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, Kurilla, who is set to retire this summer, highlighted the role of the Pakistani military and army chief Asim Munir in combating ISIS-Khorasan. 'That's why we need…to have a relationship with Pakistan and with India. I do not believe it is a binary switch that we can't have one with Pakistan if we have a relationship with India,' Kurilla said.
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
From 'lies & deceit' to 'phenomenal partner': How US is rethinking Pakistan
Once dismissed as a haven for 'lies & deceit' by Donald Trump, Pakistan is suddenly back in America's good books — and not just diplomatically, but also as a reliable partner in the global fight against terror. In a major shift from Washington's earlier stance, a top US military general has called Pakistan a 'phenomenal partner in the counter-terrorism world.' US Centcom chief praises Pakistan's role against ISIS-K General Michael 'Erik' Kurilla, Commander of the United States Central Command (Centcom), stunned many during a recent Congressional hearing by praising Pakistan's role in tackling the ISIS-Khorasan threat. 'They [Pakistan] have gone after ISIS-Khorasan, killing dozens of them,' Kurilla said, crediting Islamabad with capturing at least five high-value ISIS-K figures. One of them? Mohammad Sharifullah, aka Jafar — the man allegedly involved in the 2021 Kabul airport suicide bombing that killed 13 US troops. 'The first person they [Pakistan's Army] called was me,' Kurilla added, referring to Jafar's extradition to the US. 'I've caught him, I'm willing to extradite him back to the United States,' the Pakistani Army Chief reportedly told him. Trump's 'lies & deceit' claim and the turnaround in US-Pakistan ties For those who remember Donald Trump's fiery 2018 tweet, where he blasted Pakistan for giving the US 'nothing but lies & deceit' despite $33 billion in aid — Kurilla's comments mark a reversal. Trump had written: 'They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan… No more!' But times change. And so does geopolitics. Pakistan battles surge in terrorism, says CENTCOM According to Kurilla, Pakistan is not sitting idle. 'Since the beginning of 2024, they've endured over 1,000 terrorist attacks in the western areas, killing about 700 civilians and security forces,' he said. 'They are in an active counter-terrorism fight right now.' This is not just rhetoric. Reuters reported that Pakistan has intensified operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan against Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and splinter ISIS cells. Intelligence cooperation with the US, though minimal, is back in motion. US walks diplomatic tightrope between India and Pakistan Kurilla also didn't shy away from the big elephant in the room — India. 'We have to have a relationship with both Pakistan and India. It can't be a binary switch,' he said, indirectly pushing back against the idea that the US must choose between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Indian opposition questions Modi government's foreign policy Meanwhile, the General's remarks sparked a sharp response back in India. Congress party leader Jairam Ramesh questioned the Narendra Modi government's foreign policy. 'The US CENTCOM Chief has just described Pakistan as a 'phenomenal partner in counter-terrorism'. What do our PM and his cheerleaders have to say about this? Is this not a diplomatic setback?' he wrote on X.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Top US general praises 'phenomenal partner' Pakistan
Lieutenant General Michael Kurilla testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee on his nomination to become Commander of Central Command during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, February 8, 2022. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE Listen to article In a stunning rebuke to the Indian attempts seeking Pakistan's international isolation, a top US general on Tuesday publicly praised Pakistan as a "phenomenal partner" in the global fight against terrorism and insisted Washington must not ignore Pakistan while pursuing strategic ties with India. The testimony of General Michael Kurilla, Commander Central Command (CENTCOM), was seen as a major diplomatic win for Pakistan at a time when India was trying to build a narrative that Islamabad was sponsoring terrorism. The testimony stands in sharp contrast to persistent efforts, particularly from Indian lobbying groups, to paint Pakistan as an unreliable partner in the fight against terrorism. Gen Kurilla's candid remarks not only validate Pakistan's ongoing sacrifices but may also recalibrate the tone of future US policy in South Asia. Gen Kurilla's statement before the House Arms Services Committee led to a meltdown in India where the media and commentators questioned the US loyalty. The CENTCOM chief terming ISIS-Khorasan the most active terrorist groups, said the Afghan Taliban went after them and pushed "a lot of them into the trial areas on the Afghan-Pakistan border". "Through a phenomenal partnership with Pakistanthey (Pakistan) have gone after ISIS Khorasan, killing dozens of them," he told lawmakers. "Through our relationship we have with them, and providing intelligence, they have captured at least five ISIS Khorasan high-value individuals. They extradited back Jafar, who is one of the key individuals behind the Abbey Gate bombing," he added. "And the first person [ ] the [Pakistani] chief of the army staff Munir [called] me and said, "I've caught him, ready to extradite him back to United States, please tell the Secretary of Defense and the President." "So, we are seeing Pakistan, with limited intelligence that we provide, and go after them using their means to do that, and we're seeing an effect on ISIS Khorasan," General Kurila said. "And I would also tell you that since 2024the beginningPakistan has had over 1,000 terrorist attacks in the western area, killing about 700 security and [2,500] civilians. They have an active counterterrorism fight right now, and they have been a phenomenal partner in the counterterrorism world." Gen Kurilla highlighted the staggering toll terrorism continues to take on Pakistan itself, citing over 1,000 terrorist attacks in 2024 alonekilling approximately 700 security personnel and 2,500 civilians. "They have an active counterterrorism fight right now," he stated. "And they've been a phenomenal partner in the counterterrorism world." The CENTCOM chief emphasized that Pakistan's efforts over the last several months have severely degraded ISIS-K's capabilities. According to intelligence gained through interrogations and exploitation of captured militants, the terrorist group is currently at a "low point", though it still poses a transnational threat. "These are the same individuals that carried out the Crocus City Hall attack in Moscow and the bombing in Kerman, Iran," Kurilla said. "There are even ties to plots against the U.S. homeland, which I can discuss in a classified setting." In a significant diplomatic note, Gen Kurilla rejected the idea that US relations in South Asia must be zero-sum between India and Pakistan. "It's not a binary switch," he asserted. "We can't have one with Pakistan if we have a relationship with India. We should look at the merits of the relationship for the positives that it has." Paul Kapur Paul Kapur, US President Donald Trump's nominee for Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday that he would prioritise security cooperation with Pakistan where it aligns with US interests. He also expressed intent to explore opportunities for enhancing bilateral collaboration in trade and investment, He previously served on the State Department's Policy Planning Staff during Trump's first term, where he played a role in shaping US strategy in South Asia. Kapur, an academic of Indian origin, acknowledged the region's volatility, referring to the recent escalation between India and Pakistan. He said the crisis was narrowly averted due to "intense engagement" by US Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. "If confirmed, I will pursue security cooperation with Pakistan where it is in America's interest," says Paul Kapur who is set to become Trump's top diplomat on South Asia. On Pakistan, he said that if confirmed, he would "pursue security cooperation where it is beneficial to US interests while seeking opportunities for bilateral collaboration in trade and investment." He noted that "South Asia recently avoided a costly conflict with Vice President Vance and Secretary Rubio intensely engaged on the issue." He added, "If confirmed, I will continue to promote long-standing US security interests with India and Pakistan through the pursuit of peace and stability and the fight against terrorism."
The Wire
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Wire
Pakistan a ‘Phenomenal Partner' in Counterterrorism, Says US Centcom Chief; Urges Strong Ties With Both India, Pakistan
New Delhi: The Commander of the United States Central Command (Centcom), General Michael Kurilla described Pakistan as a 'phenomenal partner in the counterterrorism world,' crediting Islamabad with a series of successful operations against ISIS-Khorasan and advocating for continued US engagement with both Pakistan and India. His comments come at a time when India has been working to persuade the international community that Pakistan remains at the centre of terrorist activity. Following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, the Modi government has sent parliamentary delegations across the world to lobby with government officials, lawmakers and civil society actors to directly condemn Pakistan and push for its diplomatic isolation. Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee on June 10, Kurilla's comments were part of a wider argument that US strategy in South Asia should not be limited by zero-sum thinking. 'We have to have a relationship with Pakistan and with India,' he said. 'I do not believe it is a binary switch that we can't have one with Pakistan if we have a relationship with India. We should look at the merits of the relationship for the positives that it has.' 'Pakistan continues to hunt ISIS-K' These remarks came at the end of a broader response on ISIS-Khorasan, which he described as one of the most active terrorist organisations currently attempting to conduct attacks around the world, including against the US. He noted that through a 'phenomenal partnership' with Pakistan, dozens of ISIS-K fighters had been killed, and five high-value individuals had been captured, including Mohammad Sharifullah 'Jafar' , believed to be involved in the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul. '…the first person he called, (Pakistan) Chief of the Army staff (Asim) Munir was me and said, 'I've caught him. I'm willing to extradite him back to the United States. Please tell the Secretary of Defense and the President'.' In his written testimony , Kurilla further stated that 'Pakistan continues to hunt ISIS-K in their border areas, executing dozens of operations to kill and capture multiple leaders, including the mastermind of the Abbey Gate attack that claimed 13 American lives.' He also highlighted the arrest and extradition of Mohammad Sharifullah, calling it evidence of 'Pakistan's value as a partner in countering CASA terror EXOPs threats worldwide.' He added that it will 'and it will only increase as the Taliban continues to face security challenges within its borders'. During his first speech to Congress after beginning his second term , US President Donald Trump only mentioned Pakistan positively. While he criticised several countries for imposing high tariffs on US exports, he praised Pakistan for capturing and extraditing the terrorist involved in the attack that killed 13 US troops during the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. Following last month's military exchanges between India and Pakistan, Trump also publicly claimed credit for helping bring about a ceasefire. This statement drew irritation in New Delhi, but no strong protests, which has long opposed any third-party involvement in Kashmir. Trump has also not condemned Pakistan for the terror attack, frequently equating both New Delhi and Islamabad, and even stating that Pakistan has ' very strong leadership '. 'They are in an active counterterrorism fight right now' Despite recent success in degrading ISIS-K capabilities, Kurilla warned that the group remains a potent threat with ambitions beyond the region. 'These are the same individuals that did the Crocus City Hall attack in Moscow. They did the attack in Kerman, Iran, and they've attempted other attacks,' he said. He added it continues to manoeuvre along the Afghan-Pakistan border. 'Sometimes they'll try and go back into Afghanistan. We have the means to be able to collect, but for the most part right now they're hanging out right in that border area of Pakistan,' he said. General Kurilla also referenced the heavy toll that terrorism has taken on Pakistan itself, noting that 'in the beginning of 2024, Pakistan had over 1,000 terrorist attacks in the western area, killing about 700 security [personnel] and civilians and [leaving] 2,500 wounded.' 'They are in an active counterterrorism fight right now, and they have been a phenomenal partner in the counterterrorism world,' he said, praising Pakistan again. His assessment stands in stark contrast to the Indian position, as articulated again by External affairs minister S Jaishankar has insisted that Operation Sindoor targeted Pakistan's terror infrastructure directly. In an interview with a Brussels-based media outlet , he was asked why India's narrative was not resonating more strongly in international circles. 'Let me remind you of something – there was a man named Osama bin Laden. Why did he, of all people, feel safe living for years in a Pakistani military town, right next to their equivalent of West Point? I want the world to understand – this isn't merely an India–Pakistan issue. It's about terrorism. And that very same terrorism will eventually come back to haunt you,' he said on Wednesday. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
