RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry is addressing an important press conference on security issues.
The military's spokesperson began his presser by giving a breakdown of the operations conducted against terrorists during the ongoing year.
DG ISPR said security forces conducted 40,348 counterterrorism operations across the country, killing 2,084 terrorists, while 819 security personnel embraced martyrdom.
He added that 31,080 operations were carried out in Balochistan, while 7,177 operations took place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The military spokesperson said 2,084 confirmed terrorists were killed during the operations, averaging 10 militant deaths each day.
As many as 819 people embraced martyrdom during the ongoing year, including 303 army personnel, 194 law enforcement personnel, and 322 civilians, he said.
According to the ISPR DG, a total of 28 suicide attacks were recorded across the country, with Afghan nationals responsible for the recent attacks in KP's Tank and Karachi.
Lt Gen Chaudhry said the operations reflected the armed forces' continued efforts to eliminate terrorism and maintain national security.
He said that deliberate negative propaganda is being carried out regarding Balochistan. “The constitution and laws in Pakistan are the same for everyone. Loyalty to the state is the right of every citizen. Pakistan is our ultimate identity,” DG ISPR said.
"The state will not negotiate with terrorists," he said, adding that militants had only two options: lay down their arms or be eliminated. He added that terrorists had realised there would be no leniency in the state's response.
The ISPR chief said 322 Pakistani civilians had lost their lives in terrorist attacks, stressing that loyalty to the state was the duty of every citizen and describing Pakistan as the nation's ultimate identity.
Commenting on political discourse, Lt Gen Chaudhry said some groups frequently spoke about ‘rights’ but should also recognise their responsibilities, adding that a "hard state" was one where all affairs were governed strictly under the Constitution and the law.
More to follow...