Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir reiterated on Wednesday that cross-border terrorism would be crushed with full force and those providing sanctuary and facilitation to militancy would be completely dismantled. The remarks came during CDF Munir's visit to the National Defence University (NDU) in Islamabad, where he addressed the graduating officers of the National Security and War Course comprising participants from all services, the military's media wing said in a statement.
Full Might of the State Against Terrorism
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), CDF Munir addressed the country's security situation and "reiterated that terrorism emanating from across the borders will be crushed with full might of the state." "The armed forces, with the support of the nation, will ensure that terrorist sanctuaries of these proxies along with their facilitators are completely dismantled," he added.
CDF Munir remarked that the armed forces were "fully cognizant of state-sponsored attempts by hostile intelligence agencies to destabilise Pakistan," adding that the efforts of such proxies and networks, "who operate under the tutelage of hostile intelligence agencies are futile and will not be allowed to undermine Pakistan’s internal security and economic prosperity."
Evolving Warfare and Strategic Clarity
He highlighted the evolving character of warfare and underscored the centrality of strategic clarity and institutional professionalism in navigating complex strategic issues. The statement further added that the field marshal also highlighted that the military was recalibrating its employment and development strategies in line with the evolved character of warfare.
"The field marshal remarked that wars are not won through media rhetoric or political sloganeering but through faith, unity and discipline," the statement said. He also praised the role of institutions such as the NDU in "nurturing future military-civil leadership capable of mitigating hybrid, conventional and sub-conventional threats with foresight, confidence and resolve."
Confidence in Armed Forces' Professionalism
CDF Munir concluded by expressing "full confidence in the professionalism, morale and operational readiness of the battle-hardened armed forces of Pakistan and urged the graduating officers to dutifully adhere to the values of integrity, selfless service and unwavering commitment to the nation."
ISPR Accuses India and Afghan Taliban
Earlier, during a press briefing, Director General ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stated that India, along with hostile elements, was involved in terrorism inside Pakistan and could not tolerate the country’s stability and progress. “They are using the territories under the control of this illegitimate Afghan Taliban regime as a base of operation. And the majority of the people, once we engaged them, they turned out to be Afghans,” he said.
He also referred to the recent terrorist attack on a Rangers camp in Karachi, saying there were four attackers, three of whom were Afghans. “The whole planning, the whole equipping, everything was done from Afghanistan,” he added.
Balochistan Terrorism and Afghan Facilitation
The DG ISPR said there was a scheme, mastermind, intent, logistics and operational sequence behind recent terrorist activities in Balochistan. “The facilitation is being provided by the Afghan Taliban regime. They are providing manpower. Because they have a problem with Pakistan's dignity and development,” he said. He added that such elements had a problem with the stability of the people of Pakistan and did not want Balochistan to prosper because, according to him, “Balochistan was Pakistan's life, pride and glory.”
The DG ISPR said the armed forces, under the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir, had absolute clarity on the threat and were acting under the political guidance of the government. “We will take on each and every terrorist, their facilitator, those who harbour them, those who furnish them, those who provide them basis, wherever they are, without any distinction. Don't expect any sort of rationality and proportionality from us," he vowed.
