Abdul Basit Alvi
The Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) recently delivered an exhaustively detailed and statistically comprehensive press briefing, which served as a meticulous accounting of Pakistan’s nationwide counterterrorism operations conducted throughout the entire calendar year of 2025. This critical report not only highlighted the significant, measurable achievements realized in the arduous and continuous maintenance of national security but, with profound solemnity, also detailed the enormous, non-quantifiable sacrifices made by the armed forces and allied security personnel in the execution of their duty. The data presented paints a vivid picture of a state security apparatus operating at an unprecedented, high-tempo level, reflecting an unrelenting national commitment to rooting out violent extremism.
The statistical core of the briefing was the astonishing volume of preemptive security actions: the Pakistan Army and all allied security and intelligence agencies executed a staggering, record-breaking total of 67,023 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) across the nation during 2025. To fully grasp the intensity of this effort, this number translates to approximately 208 targeted, intelligence-driven operations every single day—a pace of continuous, high-risk engagement that clearly underscores the fierce and relentless commitment of the military and intelligence community. Their primary goal remained the proactive identification, meticulous tracking, and decisive neutralization of extremist threats before they could be allowed to coalesce and materialize into large-scale, violent incidents that would destabilize society. Every single one of these IBOs required meticulous, multi-layered planning, flawless, real-time coordination across various agencies, and surgical execution, effectively fusing tactical precision with the most current intelligence. This strategic approach was engineered specifically to target entrenched terrorist networks, systematically dismantle their operational and logistical infrastructure, and successfully apprehend or, when operational necessity dictated, eliminate high-value terrorist operatives. The sheer, overwhelming volume of these operations stands as a powerful testament not just to the persistence, institutional strength, and resilience of Pakistan’s security forces, but also reflects the profoundly complex, adaptive, and often transnational nature of terrorism within the country. Extremist elements continuously sought new, insidious ways to exploit geographic, political, and social vulnerabilities, aiming to fracture and destabilize society through violence, intimidation, and sophisticated ideological manipulation.
Yet, these operational achievements were tragically counterbalanced by the profound and heart-wrenching human cost of these ceaseless counterterrorism efforts, which dramatically illustrated the immense, personal sacrifices borne by soldiers, law enforcement personnel, and countless civilians alike. The year 2025 saw a total of 4,729 terrorist incidents officially recorded nationwide, a grim figure that forcefully highlighted the pervasive, ongoing, and serious threat to both public safety and the foundational stability of the nation. The offensive operations conducted to directly counter this violent surge resulted in the confirmed elimination of 1,873 terrorists, a clear, measurable metric demonstrating the undeniable effectiveness of intelligence-driven actions in systematically degrading and weakening extremist organizational capacity. Simultaneously, these successful efforts were paid for by the ultimate sacrifice, demanding tremendous, unyielding courage and resilience from those on the frontlines. This is solemnly evidenced by the 1,073 brave martyrs who tragically lost their lives in the unwavering line of duty. Breaking down this supreme sacrifice, 584 were soldiers of the Pakistan Army, 133 were dedicated members of various law enforcement agencies (LEAs), and a heartbreaking total of 356 were innocent civilians who were brutally victimized by indiscriminate acts of extremism. These figures collectively and starkly illustrate the immense human toll that terrorism continues to exact upon Pakistani society and underscore the extraordinary, foundational dedication of the armed forces in confronting violent extremism with uncompromising resolve, even when faced with the highest possible personal risk. Each single number within this solemn count represents countless untold stories of profound bravery, fierce national determination, and the ultimate willingness of individuals—from the military officer to the ordinary citizen—to selflessly protect their nation, their local communities, and their fellow citizens at the supreme cost of their own personal safety and life.
Furthermore, the DG ISPR’s comprehensive briefing provided a critical, geographically focused breakdown of the counterterrorism campaign, placing particular emphasis on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). This province has historically faced a uniquely persistent and intense security threat environment, primarily due to its rugged, mountainous terrain and its crucial geopolitical proximity to volatile, conflict-prone border areas. In KPK, the number of terrorism-related incidents recorded in 2025 stood at 3357. This accurately reflects the continuous, formidable, and complex challenge posed by resilient extremist groups constantly attempting to exploit deep-seated local and geographic vulnerabilities.
To Be Continued
