Community must not be punished for acts of individual terrorists: DG ISPR
Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry emphasized that innocent communities must not suffer due to the actions of a lone terrorist.
Addressing students from Balochistan in a special interactive session, he clarified that the armed forces have no intention of targeting civilians under the pretext of counter-terrorism measures.
Highlighting the patriotic spirit of Balochistan’s youth, the DG ISPR noted that the province’s people fully understand and value their bond with Pakistan.
He paid homage to Major Muhammad Anwar Kakar, calling him a remarkable officer and a brave son of the soil, who had earlier eliminated several terrorists during the Gwadar attack.
General Chaudhry underscored that officers, soldiers, and civilians make daily sacrifices to defend the nation.
He stressed that counter-terrorism operations succeed only with the active cooperation of locals in identifying threats, not through indiscriminate military action. “If operations are conducted without community involvement, threats may return once the troops depart,” he cautioned.
Furthermore, the DG ISPR underlined that all operations were intelligence-based to ensure precision and civilian safety.
He said the army works closely with local administrations and the public to apprehend terrorists and their facilitators, ensuring accountability without harming innocent residents.
Gen Chaudhry, also said that civilians providing shelter to terrorists or storing explosives will face consequences, but the broader community should not be punished.
The military’s media wing spokesperson lauded Baloch people for standing against terrorism and noted that they were actively reporting terrorist presence in their areas.
The ISPR chief also spoke on Pakistan’s founding principles, stressing that the country was established on the basis of the Kalma, beyond linguistic or regional differences.
He cited examples of prominent Baloch citizens, including Cambridge-educated scientist Samad Yar Jang, Shahzaib Rind, and female deputy commissioners, illustrating that educated Baloch now actively shape their own destinies.
The DG ISPR highlighted that Balochistan was not exclusively Baloch, with over 30% of the population being Pashtun, and pointed out that more members of the Baloch ethnic group live outside the province than within it.
The DG ISPR concluded that the essence of Pakistan —”Lā ilāha illallāh”— is embedded in the country’s citizens, reinforcing unity beyond ethnic or regional identity.
