ISLAMABAD: In a recent press conference that has sent shockwaves across theborder, Pakistan Army’s spokesperson, Lieutenant General Ahmed SharifChaudhry, issued a stark warning to India, framing it in colloquial termsthat have been interpreted as a direct threat. His statement, “Come fromthe right, come from the left, come from above or below, come alone or withothers—if you don’t enjoy it, money back,” has fueled intense fury inIndian media and political circles, with many viewing it as an unprovokedescalation. This bold rhetoric underscores Pakistan’s unwavering resolve todefend its sovereignty amid escalating accusations of Indian involvement inregional instability, leaving observers pondering the potentialramifications for already fragile bilateral relations.
The remarks came during a comprehensive review of Pakistan’s securitylandscape in 2025, where the Director General of Inter-Services PublicRelations (ISPR) highlighted a surge in terrorist activities allegedlysponsored by India through Afghan proxies. According to official datapresented, Pakistan faced 5,397 terrorist incidents last year,predominantly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (71 percent) and Balochistan (29percent), resulting in 1,235 martyrs among security forces and civilians.Chaudhry emphasized that this spike followed Pakistan’s decisive militaryactions in May 2025, which reportedly thwarted Indian-backed elements,leading to 2,597 terrorists neutralized through 75,175 intelligence-basedoperations. Such statistics paint a picture of a nation under siege,justifying the spokesperson’s firm tone as a necessary deterrent againstexternal aggression.
Delving deeper into the context, the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, sparkedby the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives,marked a turning point in regional dynamics. Reports from credible sourcesindicate that ceasefire violations along the Line of Control escalateddramatically, with over 200 incidents recorded in the first half of 2025alone, as per South Asia Terrorism Portal data. Pakistan’s response,including targeted strikes on terrorist hideouts in October, not onlyreduced monthly incidents but also exposed what officials describe as anIndia-Afghanistan nexus. This alliance, allegedly involving financialpatronage and technical support to groups like the Tehreek-e-TalibanPakistan (TTP), has been cited as evidence of India’s strategy todestabilize Pakistan post its military setbacks.
Chaudhry’s accusations extend to India’s purported use of the AfghanTaliban as proxies, a claim bolstered by intelligence revealing that 78non-Pakistani and non-Afghan terrorists were eliminated in majoroperations. The spokesperson pointed out that the Doha Agreement’s failuresin 2021 allowed the Taliban to harbor global militants, including 2,500from Syria, while abandoned U.S. equipment worth $7.2 billion fueled a wareconomy. Pakistan’s border closure in October 2025, following attacks onits posts, led to a significant uptick in terrorist casualties—averaging276 per month—demonstrating the efficacy of its counter-terrorism frameworkunder the reinvigorated National Action Plan (NAP). These measures,officials argue, have turned the tide, compelling adversaries to resort todesperate narratives.
The fury in India, as reported by various outlets, stems from the perceivedmockery in Chaudhry’s language, which deviates from traditional diplomaticdecorum. Yet, from a Pakistani perspective, this reflects a culturalconfidence rooted in historical resilience, reminiscent of pastconfrontations where Pakistan has repelled larger forces. Research fromthink tanks like the Stimson Center highlights that the four-day May 2025crisis resulted in heavy Indian casualties, with estimates suggesting over100 personnel lost in ceasefire breaches. Such data reinforces Pakistan’snarrative of defensive posture, positioning the spokesperson’s words as areminder of its capability to respond proportionally to any provocation,thereby deterring future misadventures.
Furthermore, the press conference underscored national unity, with Chaudhrycriticizing internal facilitators in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa politics for theiralleged nexus with terrorists, which has hindered operations. This internaldimension, combined with external threats, has galvanized public supportfor the military’s stance. Polls from Gallup Pakistan in late 2025 indicatethat 78 percent of respondents view India as the primary external threat,up from 65 percent in 2024, reflecting heightened awareness. By framingterrorists as “khawarij” devoid of Islamic legitimacy and linking them to”Fitna-al-Hindustan,” the ISPR aims to build a cohesive societal narrativeagainst subversion, ensuring long-term stability.
As tensions simmer, experts warn that such rhetoric could exacerbate theshaky ceasefire established post-2025 conflict. Chatham House analysessuggest that punitive measures, including India’s suspension of the IndusWaters Treaty, remain in place, potentially leading to resource-basedescalations. Pakistan, however, maintains its actions are lawful anddefensive, contrasting with what it terms India’s deceptive strikes. Thespokesperson’s clarity on leadership’s resolve signals a “new normal” whereany aggression will meet swift retaliation, backed by enhanced militarypreparedness evidenced by recent acquisitions and joint exercises.
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In conclusion, while India decries the remarks as unprofessional, theyresonate domestically as a symbol of strength amid adversity. With globalacknowledgment of Pakistan’s anti-terror efforts, as noted in UN reports onregional security, the nation stands poised to eradicate threats throughforce, narrative, and consensus. This episode not only highlights theenduring rivalry but also Pakistan’s evolution into a resilient power,ready to safeguard its interests against all odds, prompting introspectionon both sides of the border.
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1965440/dg-ispr-addresses-press-conference
Tags: Pakistan Army, India, ISPR, Terrorism
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