ISLAMABAD — Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has warned that India may attempt a false flag operation in the maritime domain.
During a closed-door briefing to senior journalists on Monday, Lt Gen Chaudhry said Pakistan is fully prepared to respond. “Let India do whatever it wants — on land, in the sea, or in the air. India must know — this time, the response will be far more severe,” he asserted.
The warning came as India’s defence ministry announced the start of its ‘Trishul’ military exercise in early November. The drills, led by the Indian Navy, also include the Army and Air Force.
Counterterrorism Operations Intensify
DG ISPR revealed that Pakistan’s security forces have carried out 62,113 operations this year, killing 1,667 terrorists. He added that 582 soldiers have been martyred, with most operations focused in Balochistan.
He stressed that Pakistan’s forces are actively targeting Fitna-al-Khawarij, a term used for the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Afghanistan’s Conditions ‘Hold No Significance’
Lt Gen Chaudhry dismissed Afghanistan’s conditions in ongoing talks. “The only thing that matters is the eradication of terrorism,” he said. He emphasized that the Pakistani armed forces are the ultimate guarantors of national security.
During recent clashes, 206 Afghan Taliban and 112 Khawarij militants were killed. He said the TTP has pledged allegiance to the Afghan Taliban, calling it their “branch.”
Senior journalist Hamid Mir confirmed that evidence of Afghan Taliban involvement in terrorism was shared with media representatives.
Crime-Terror Nexus
Lt Gen Chaudhry linked terrorism to the drug trade, revealing militants earn up to Rs2.5 million per acre from opium. He added that smugglers fund operations under the guise of ushr collection.
