Latest news with #Zarb-e-Azb
Express Tribune
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Peace is our priority but will respond more strongly if provoked: DG ISPR
Listen to article The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has warned that any future aggression against the country would be met with a 'more severe' response, while reiterating that it remains committed to peace. 'We are peace-loving and give priority to peace. It is our first choice. But if you make this mistake again, our response will be even more intense," he said on Saturday while addressing a special session attended by over 2,500 students from various universities of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the ISPR said in a statement. The event, held in a festive atmosphere marked by nationalist slogans and songs, drew loud chants of 'Long live the Pakistan Army' and 'Kashmir will become Pakistan.' Students waved national flags and voiced support for the military. Read more: Pakistan's military dismisses Indian water threat as 'insane thinking' Chaudhry said Pakistan's armed forces had previously responded decisively to Indian air raids, including retaliatory strikes on 26 targets. He referenced the death of a young boy in Muzaffarabad, saying the brigade headquarters responsible for the attack was 'destroyed.' 'Our aircraft targeted only military infrastructure,' he said. 'We did not strike any civilian population, infrastructure, or place of worship because we believe in peace.' The army spokesperson also accused India of being behind various militant activities in Pakistan, including unrest in Balochistan and attacks by extremist groups. 'Behind every terrorist act in Pakistan, whether in Balochistan or elsewhere, stands India's hand,' he said. Addressing Afghan authorities, he urged them not to allow militants to use Afghan territory to launch attacks on Pakistan. 'Do not become proxies of India,' he said, adding that the problem lies with certain Afghan elites allegedly funded by New Delhi. Read more: Govt doesn't rule out Zarb-e-Azb style action in Balochistan DG ISPR also condemned hardline groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), accusing them of distorting Islamic teachings and seeking support from India. 'You ask for help from those who violate the dignity of Kashmiri women,' he said. Reiterating Pakistan's long-standing stance on the Kashmir dispute, he told the audience: 'The time has come again — Kashmir will become Pakistan.' The latest escalation between Pakistan and India began on April 22, when an attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people. India immediately blamed Pakistan for the incident. However, Pakistan categorically rejected the Indian blame. In response, India undertook a series of hostile actions the next day on April 23, including suspending the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), cancelling visas for Pakistani citizens, closing the Wagah-Attari border crossing, ordering the shutdown of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, and reducing diplomatic staff at each other's embassies. Tensions further escalated in the early hours of May 7, when missile strikes hit six cities in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), destroying a mosque and killing dozens of civilians, including women, children, and the elderly. Read More: French intelligence official confirms downing of Rafale by Pakistan In a swift military response, Pakistan's armed forces shot down Indian warplanes, including three Rafale jets. The confrontation intensified again in the early hours of May 10, when India targeted Pakistani airbases with missile strikes. In retaliation, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, damaging Indian military installations, including missile storage sites, airbases, and other strategic targets. US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire had been reached following intense diplomatic efforts overnight. Minutes later, the agreement was confirmed separately by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the Indian foreign secretary.
News18
24-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Pashtun Activists Slam Pakistan Army For Killing Mother, Her Kids In Waziristan Drone Strike
Last Updated: Activists from Pashtun groups said areas where Pashtuns live are being used as a weapons testing laboratory by Pakistan Army. Fazal ur Rehman Afridi, an activist from the Pashtun rights group, Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), said Pakistan Army conducted 32 drone strikes in North and South Waziristan and Tank districts over the past few years and sharply criticised them for the recent murder of four children and their mother. The children and the mother were killed in the drone strike conducted by the Pakistan Army in Hurmuz, North Waziristan. Afridi told news agency ANI that Pashtun inhabited areas are 'weapons testing laboratories" for the Pakistan Army. 'This is not the first instance where the Pakistani army has assaulted innocent Pashtun civilians, particularly women and children," Afridi said. He stated that the latest victims were children aged from five to eight. The activist has accused the Pakistan Army of targeting civilians under the pretext of counter-terror operations, calling the recent strike in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa part of a wider campaign to displace local populations and seize resource-rich land. advetisement In a stark shift, Pakistan has turned its drone arsenal inward, launching strikes in the Waziristan region—an area that once supported the state during major counterterrorism operations like Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad, intelligence sources told News18. Over the past few months, North and South Waziristan have seen a sharp escalation in drone attacks carried out by Pakistan's own military, raising alarm over civilian casualties and the absence of oversight. Rejecting the military's claim that the strike targeted militants, the activist alleged that over 55,000 Taliban leaders and their families had been relocated into Pashtun areas through a formal arrangement with the Pakistani state. 'Now they call them terrorists and use that to justify drone attacks. This is a proxy war. The Taliban are just pawns of the Pakistan Army," he said. Sources point out that the strikes are happening without any parliamentary debate or judicial review, highlighting how Pakistan's powerful military continues to operate with near-total autonomy. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif's recent dismissive remarks have further raised concerns. They added that communities once considered partners in counterterrorism are now being labelled as extremists or foreign agents. Afridi also linked the attacks to India's recent anti-terror operation. 'Immediately after India's Operation Sindoor, the Pakistan Army resumed bombing Pashtun civilians. Innocent children and the elderly were killed," the activist said. Expressing full support for India's operation targeting terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, he said many Pashtuns welcomed the move. 'We were relieved our regions were not affected. The terror hubs are in Punjab. We only wish India had continued longer to dismantle the rogue Pakistani military," he said. At least four children from the same family were killed and five others injured in the suspected drone strike in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Pakistan army Pashtun Tahafuz Movement First Published:
Express Tribune
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Govt doesn't rule out Zarb-e-Azb style action in Balochistan
Listen to article The government on Friday hinted at initiating an operation against terrorists in Balochistan similar to Zarb-e-Azb that was launched against the terrorist outfits in the former Federally-Administered Tribal Areas (ex-Fata) in 2014. At a joint press conference with Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Interior Secretary Muhammad Khurram Agha stressed that Pakistan remained fully committed to combating terrorism. The press conference came just days after a barbaric suicide bomb attack on a school bus in Khuzdar in Balochistan that claimed the lives of at least eight people, including six schoolchildren. Lt Gen Chaudhry and Agha both said that initial investigation reveals that 'Fitna al-Hindustan' was behind the bombing. "If the need be, and that would be a later decision, it would have an operation maybe similar to Zarb-e-Azb but at a later stage. As of now, there are continuous operations under way that you [media] are witnessing and Lt Gen [Chaudhry] has shared figures relating to those as well," Agha told the journalists. "Every effort is being made; day and night; our people are making efforts and our security forces are achieving results as shown earlier. As we speak, in due course, it [our efforts] will increase and we will eliminate all such elements over time," he added. "Once we go with something like Zarb-e-Azb, we have to be prepared. In that preparation, every effort is being made so that every facet of the National Action Plan [NAP] that is implemented [and] brings peace that we need," Agha stressed. The interior secretary stated that the Khuzdar attack indicated India's shift from hard targets to soft targets. He condemned the "cowardly attack on innocent children" and vowed retaliation. "Our response will be decisive. They [terrorists] will not succeed." On the occasion, the DG ISPR said that India-sponsored attackers had no humanity, morality, and Baloch or Pakistani identity. He said that India had been involved in state-sponsored terrorism for the past many decades to destabilise regional peace. He recalled that in 2009, Pakistan presented a dossier to the United Nations with evidence of India's involvement in terrorist activities in Balochistan. In 2016, he added, Pakistan again provided evidence of Indian involvement in terrorism to the UN. He also pointed out that arrested terrorists had admitted to receiving funding from India for various attacks. "The Khuzdar incident is deeply tragic, carried out on India's orders. Fitna al-Hindustan is targeting innocent people, including children and travellers," he added. The chief military spokesperson highlighted a string of attacks carried out on directions from India in Balochistan such as the killing of workers, attacks on buses, bombings, and incidents involving non-locals being targeted in barber shops. Showing images and video footage of the martyred children during the briefing, Lt Gen Chaudhry said the attack in Khuzdar was an escalation in this pattern, with India shifting its strategy to attacking women and children. He emphasised that the terror activities in Balochistan were not linked to any specific ethnic group or religion but the result of India's proxy war in the region. "Is there any humanity, morality, any Baloch or Pakistani identity in this?" he asked. The DG ISPR presented an audio recording of an Indian army officer, Maj Sandeep, discussing the funding of terrorism in Balochistan. The officer's conversation revealed how India strategically sent money to fuel terrorism in Pakistan, using separate accounts for different stages of operations. He questioned India's justification for attacking Pakistani mosques and madrasas. He questioned the credibility of India's claims, pointing out that Pakistan had always presented evidence to counter India's allegations, whereas India had failed to provide any evidence of its claims. The press conference also included images of terrorists killed by Pakistani security forces in Balochistan, showing them armed with expensive foreign weapons like sniper rifles and night-vision equipment. "Who provided such advanced weapons to these terrorists," he asked. He criticised Indian media for celebrating the deaths of Pakistani women and children, falsely accusing Pakistan of being the source of terrorism. He mentioned rapid coverage in Indian media of the October 6, 2024 attack on Chinese nationals, which showed how Indian media was complicit in such events. He said that India's proxy terrorism was creating a situation where the Pakistani military had been compelled to take action. "While India continues to rely on its proxies to create instability, Pakistan remains united, with the military, government, and the people all aligned in the fight against terrorism." Having miserably failed in Operation Sindoor, the chief military spokesperson said, the terror proxies of Hindustan had been tasked to intensify their heinous acts of terrorism in Balochistan and elsewhere. He made it clear that the people of Pakistan would not let them succeed in their sinister designs. "Pakistan and its people, particularly in Balochistan, reject this nefarious design. The state has the capacity and the will to dismantle these networks and bring the perpetrators and their handlers to justice. Such actions will have consequences," he warned. He also highlighted the development projects in Balochistan, including investments in the blue economy, the Gwadar International Airport, and the ongoing construction of roads, hospitals, and technical institutes, signalling the province's future growth. The DG ISPR emphasised that Balochistan's growing prosperity was a challenge for terrorists, as it showed the strength of Pakistan's unity and the growing opportunities for its people, including over 73,000 Baloch students receiving scholarships. Giving statistics, Lt Gen Chaudhry said that there were 4,664 terrorist incidents across Pakistan, with 1,612 occurring in Balochistan. The security forces conducted 93,515 counter-terrorism operations nationwide, including 52,887 in Balochistan, he added. He told reporters that in 2024, security forces killed 1,018 terrorists across the country, including 233 in Balochistan. So far in 2025, 747 terrorists had been killed, including 203 in Balochistan. Security forces have intensified their operations against militants. On the issue of missing persons, he stated that many claims were politically-motivated, with the BYC [Balochistan Yakjehti Committee], acting as a proxy for Indian interests in the region. "There is no ideology of terrorism - only India's attempt to establish regional hegemony," he added. To a question the DG ISPR said: "For decades, India has poured billions into its military budget - not merely for its security, but to project itself as a regional and global power". However, he added that India operated under "several faulty and erroneous assumptions". India, he said, gravely misjudged the resilience of the Pakistani state and the unity of its people. "The consequences of those miscalculations are now evident. Let them try again if they wish - we remain ready, firm, and more resolute than ever," he said. Highlighting the core issue obstructing peace in South Asia, the chief military spokesperson stressed that sustainable peace between Pakistan and India was impossible without a just and lasting resolution of the Kashmir dispute. "Kashmir is not merely a bilateral issue - it holds regional implications involving Pakistan, India, and even China. It is an internationally recognised disputed territory, contrary to India's claims of it being an internal matter," he said. He condemned India's military presence in the region, stating that over 700,000 troops have been deployed in Indian-Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) to suppress the local population. "Incidents like the one in Pahalgam illustrate the severity and brutality that led to detention of thousands without due process, systemic abuses, and enforced disappearances," he added. He criticized India's domestic human rights record. "Sikhs, Christians, Dalits, and other minorities face entrenched and prolonged discrimination. These are not internal matters - they are global human rights concerns," he said. In response to a question on India's reported obstruction of water flows to Pakistan, the DG ISPR termed the act a serious breach of international law and bilateral agreements, specifically the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). "The people and the state of Pakistan are united on this issue. The prime minister has been clear on this point: any unilateral attempt to alter the water flows will be met with a firm diplomatic and strategic response," he vowed. (WITH INPUT FROM APP)
Express Tribune
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
NAPping amid the security crisis
Listen to article Terrorism has remained one of Pakistan's gravest challenges, shaping the country's security landscape for more than a decade. The period from 2007 to 2014 was marked by relentless militant violence, targeting civilians, security forces and institutions. Suicide bombings, mass-casualty attacks and insurgencies in different parts of the country tested the resilience of the state and its people. This dark chapter culminated in the horrific Army Public School (APS) massacre in Peshawar in December 2014, where over 140 innocent lives, mostly of children, were lost. That moment proved to be a turning point. The sheer brutality of the attack galvanised the entire nation, uniting political and military leadership, civil society and the public in a renewed commitment to eradicate terrorism. Out of this resolve emerged the National Action Plan (NAP) — a comprehensive 20-point strategy designed to counter terrorism and extremism at both operational and ideological levels. At the heart of NAP was a clear division of responsibilities between the military and civilian leadership. While the security forces were tasked with kinetic actions, including military operations and counterterrorism measures, the civilian government was responsible for governance reforms, justice system improvements and deradicalisation efforts. In the years that followed, Pakistan's armed forces successfully launched operations like Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad, dismantling militant networks and restoring a semblance of stability. However, the non-kinetic measures — arguably just as crucial - remained largely unfulfilled. The failure to address governance deficiencies, delays in justice and socio-political marginalisation created space for militant narratives to resurface. The recent hijacking of the Jaffar Express has once again shocked the nation, exposing the state's inability to assert control in Balochistan. This brazen attack, in which militants took passengers hostage and engaged in a prolonged standoff with security forces, has reignited concerns about Pakistan's deteriorating internal security. The Jaffar Express attack is not an isolated event but part of a larger pattern of lawlessness that has gripped Balochistan, where insurgent groups continue to challenge the state with impunity. The failure to ensure passenger safety on a major railway route raises alarming questions about the effectiveness of security measures and intelligence gathering in the province. This incident, alongside the resurgence of the Baloch separatist insurgency and the ongoing threat from TTP, highlights the urgent need to fully implement NAP. The state's kinetic responses have achieved significant battlefield successes, yet the deep-rooted grievances that fuel militancy remain unaddressed. The people of Balochistan, despite the province's rich natural resources, continue to suffer from economic deprivation, lack of political representation and systematic neglect. The merged districts of KP, formerly FATA, also remain underdeveloped and politically marginalised, making them susceptible to extremist influences. Without genuine reconciliation and socioeconomic integration, military operations alone cannot guarantee lasting peace. One of the major obstacles to a full realisation of NAP has been the country's political instability. Abrupt changes in governments, inconsistent policies and the politicisation of institutions - particularly the judiciary — have significantly hindered progress. The pattern of reversing policies every three years has effectively set Pakistan back by 15 years. Instead of maintaining a consistent counterterrorism strategy, successive governments have either deprioritised key NAP provisions or engaged in political manoeuvring that has stalled critical reforms. The inability to establish long-term institutional frameworks for countering extremism and ensuring governance reforms has allowed militants to exploit the state's vulnerabilities. Another key factor undermining counterterrorism efforts is the weakening of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA). Designed as the central body to coordinate intelligence and implement NAP, NACTA has been largely sidelined due to bureaucratic inefficiencies and political disinterest. Additionally, judicial reforms must be expedited to ensure timely prosecution of terror suspects, as prolonged trials and delayed justice contribute to a culture of impunity. The media also plays a crucial role in shaping public perception and countering extremist narratives. However, Pakistan's media landscape remains deeply polarised, often focusing more on political rivalries than on critical issues of national security. A concerted effort is needed to ensure that media platforms highlight the dangers of extremism and the necessity of implementing counterterrorism policies. Social media, in particular, has become a breeding ground for radicalisation, with extremist groups using digital platforms to recruit and spread propaganda. Regulatory mechanisms must be strengthened to monitor and counter extremist content without curbing legitimate freedom of expression. Furthermore, Pakistan's counterterrorism efforts cannot succeed in isolation. Regional dynamics, particularly the situation in Afghanistan, have a direct impact on Pakistan's internal security. The resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan has emboldened groups like the TTP, which now operates with greater freedom across the border. Pakistan must adopt a more proactive diplomatic approach, engaging regional and international stakeholders to ensure that Afghanistan does not become a safe haven for terrorists. It is also imperative for Pakistan to reassess its approach to religious extremism. To date the ideological battle against extremism remains largely unaddressed. Madrassa reforms, a key component of NAP, have seen little progress. Many religious seminaries continue to operate without regulation. The state must work closely with religious scholars to promote a counter-narrative that upholds tolerance and coexistence. The time for half-hearted effort is over. Pakistan can no longer afford to treat counterterrorism as a short-term military campaign. NAP remains Pakistan's most well-conceived framework for countering terrorism. Without its implementation Pakistan risks falling into a perpetual cycle of violence and instability.
Express Tribune
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
War against terrorism: Time to shoulder responsibility
Once again, the nation is waiting for the same commitment, resilience, and ownership displayed a decade ago at the time of the horrific Army Public School (APS) Peshawar attack (Dec 2014) to root out the menace of terrorism once and for all. The resurgence of BLA and TTP has placed Pakistan's stability, security, and territorial integrity under severe strain. Incidents like the Jaffar Express hijacking serve as stark reminders that traditional responses to these challenges would no longer serve the purpose. A decade ago, a comprehensive 20-point National Action Plan framework aimed at addressing both the operational and ideological roots of militancy was designed to eliminate extremism and terrorism from the country. The implementation of NAP resulted in the dismantling of terrorist networks through successful military operations, including Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad. However, with the passage of time, the thrust to implement NAP in its entirety faded away. Although progress was visible in terms of kinetic actions, the political, social, and educational reforms outlined in the plan remained largely neglected. In 2021, changing dynamics and the spectrum of threats resulted in a revision of the National Action Plan. The revised plan laid more emphasis on kinetic and non-kinetic strategies with the objective of crafting a balanced and sustainable response to militancy. In the kinetic domain, security forces delivered outstanding victories on the battlefield, neutralizing high-profile militant leaders and destroying terrorist sanctuaries. However, non-implementation of reconciliation efforts, justice reforms, governance improvements, and socioeconomic uplift—the non-kinetic aspects of NAP—severely dented the overall efforts in the fight against terrorism. No one can deny the importance of the kinetic approach, but partial implementation of NAP raises critical questions. On paper, the framework promises a holistic solution. In practice, however, its partial application has failed to address the fundamental drivers of unrest in regions like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Without addressing these issues, the state's writ would be eroded, especially in restive areas. These successes on the security front are temporary if they are not followed by meaningful political engagement and development initiatives. The non-kinetic components of NAP are critical for long-term stability. Unfortunately, these have been sidelined by consecutive governments. Reconciliation efforts in Balochistan have yet to take off in earnest, and the merged districts of KP remain marginalized and underdeveloped. Without genuine political inclusion, social services, and economic opportunities, these regions will remain vulnerable to exploitation by insurgents and extremist ideologues. In Balochistan, despite its wealth in natural resources, many communities continue to live in awful conditions. Similarly, the merged areas of KP suffer from lingering underdevelopment and a lack of political representation. Deprivation, marginalization, and the absence of genuine political freedom create fertile ground for recruitment into extremist causes. These conditions foster deep resentment, which militant groups are quick to exploit. Addressing these challenges requires more than military operations. There needs to be a serious, sustained reconciliation process and inclusive governance that empowers local communities. Unfortunately, the political will to take these bold steps has been lacking, leaving the root causes of militancy unaddressed. The path forward demands reconciliation and reintegration efforts aimed at militants willing to renounce violence and enter the political mainstream. However, these efforts must be conducted within firm red lines: Pakistan's territorial integrity and constitutional supremacy cannot be compromised. Any dialogue or political settlement must reinforce national unity and uphold the rule of law. The time for half-measures is over. If Pakistan is to break the cycle of insurgency and violence, it must implement the National Action Plan in its entirety in both kinetic and non-kinetic domains. The burden cannot fall solely on the shoulders of security forces. Civilian leadership, along with provincial governments, must take ownership of governance reforms, socioeconomic initiatives, and political reconciliation. Without a comprehensive approach, Pakistan risks falling into a repetitive cycle of instability. It is not enough to overpower terrorism militarily; the state must address the structural injustices and grievances that give rise to militancy in the first place. No doubt, the National Action Plan presents a wholesome approach, but its success hinges on implementation, not just in military terms but in political and social arenas as well. Pakistan's leadership must show the vision and willpower to fulfill the promises made under NAP. It's time for all political parties to shoulder responsibility, as only through a holistic, wide-ranging approach can the dream of a peaceful, stable, and terror-free society be accomplished.
