Operations
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmed SharifChaudhry presented a grim yet resolute picture of the country’s internalsecurity landscape during his first press briefing of 2026, revealingunprecedented operational intensity coupled with persistent high levels ofviolence throughout 2025. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR)Director General disclosed that security forces conducted a staggering75175 intelligence-based and targeted operations across the country,marking one of the most extensive counter-terrorism campaigns in recentyears. These figures immediately raise critical questions about theeffectiveness of such massive operational efforts when terrorist incidentscontinue at alarming rates.
The provincial distribution of these operations reveals a clear strategicfocus on the two most restive regions. Out of the total operations, 58778were conducted in Balochistan, reflecting the priority given to containingthe long-running insurgency in the province. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa followedwith 14658 operations while the remaining 1739 were carried out in otherparts of the country including Punjab and Sindh. This geographicconcentration underscores the military’s assessment that the primarythreats to national stability continue to emanate from the western borderregions despite years of sustained military pressure.
Even more concerning was the disclosure that 5397 terrorism-relatedincidents were recorded during the year, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bearingthe heaviest burden at 3811 incidents. This figure represents over 70percent of the nationwide total and indicates that despite intensiveoperations the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and affiliated groupsmaintained significant operational capacity in the former tribal districtsand adjacent settled areas. The persistence of such high incident numbersafter large-scale clearance operations suggests that militants have adoptedmore decentralized and resilient structures capable of absorbing heavylosses while continuing attacks.
Casualty figures presented by the ISPR further highlight the human cost ofthe ongoing conflict. A total of 2597 militants were reported killed invarious engagements throughout 2025, indicating significant kinetic successfor security forces. However this achievement came at a steep price as 1235people including both civilians and law enforcement personnel lost theirlives in terrorist violence. The disparity between militant andsecurity-side casualties demonstrates the asymmetric nature of the conflictwhere security forces possess superior firepower but face continuousattrition from hit-and-run tactics and improvised explosive devices.
Particularly alarming was the resurgence of suicide bombings with 27 suchattacks recorded during the year. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa witnessed 16 suicidebombings while Balochistan experienced 10 and one occurred in the federalcapital Islamabad. The use of two female suicide bombers during 2025 markeda disturbing tactical evolution as militant groups appear to be adaptingtheir recruitment and operational strategies to circumvent securitymeasures. This development has prompted renewed concerns among analystsabout the ideological penetration and radicalization extending topreviously less-affected demographic segments.
The briefing also implicitly raised questions about the long-termsustainability of the current security approach. While the elimination ofnearly 2600 militants represents a substantial blow to terrorist networksthe continued high volume of both operations and incidents suggests thatthe militant ecosystem retains considerable regenerative capacity. Militaryofficials have repeatedly stated that success requires parallel politicaland developmental measures yet the security statistics indicate thatkinetic operations alone have not produced the desired decisive outcome ineither province.
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The 2025 figures when viewed collectively portray a security environmentcharacterized by intense but inconclusive confrontation. The massiveoperational effort combined with persistent terrorist activity creates asituation where tactical victories occur regularly but strategic gainsremain elusive. Security analysts note that without addressing underlyinggovernance political and socio-economic drivers of militancy the cycle ofviolence and counter-violence is likely to continue into the coming yearsdespite sustained military pressure.
The disclosure of these detailed statistics serves multiple purposesincluding demonstrating the scale of the security challenge informing thepublic about ongoing threats and justifying continued high levels ofdefense expenditure. However the numbers also invite serious nationaldebate about whether the current strategy requires fundamentalrecalibration to achieve lasting peace in the affected regions.
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/
Tags: Pakistan, ISPR, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, TTP
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