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DG ISPR Accuses Afghan Forces of Aiding Terror Infiltration, Outlines Security Challenges
DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif says Afghan forces fire on Pakistani posts to help terrorists infiltrate. Highlights terror-crime nexus, border challenges & over 67k IBOs this year.
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by Muhammad Hashir
2025-11-29
DG ISPR Accuses Afghan Forces of Aiding Terror Infiltration, Outlines Security Challenges

 Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has alleged that Afghan forces have repeatedly opened fire on Pakistani border posts to facilitate the infiltration of terrorists into the country. His remarks came during an extensive media briefing held on November 25, the video of which was released on Friday.

The military spokesperson said the situation on the Pakistan–Afghanistan border had deteriorated in terrorism-prone areas, where he noted the absence of functional governance on the Afghan side, with “hardly five to 10 per cent” administrative presence.

“Afghan Posts Fire First”

Detailing infiltration tactics, Lt Gen Chaudhry said that Afghan posts often initiated fire on Pakistani positions, creating distractions for terrorists to slip through gaps along the rugged terrain.

He emphasised that villages and tribes straddle the border, complicating monitoring efforts. Twenty-nine tribes live on both sides, making movement control extremely challenging.

The ISPR chief addressed public concerns regarding smuggling, the passage of non-custom-paid (NCP) vehicles, and border breaches. He explained that fencing alone cannot guarantee airtight security without adequate military cover or observation.

High Cost of Tight Border Control

Lt Gen Chaudhry said that setting up security posts every few kilometres or deploying drones across the entire frontier would require massive investments in both manpower and infrastructure.

He highlighted that some suggested sealing the border entirely, but questioned whether even countries with vast resources—like the US on its border with Mexico—had been able to do so effectively.

Terror-Crime Nexus & Non-Custom-Paid Vehicles

Discussing internal security challenges, the DG ISPR said networks involving the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were supported by cells located inside Pakistan. These networks, he said, launched coordinated attacks on military and FC positions to clear routes for smugglers.

He added that 0.40–0.45 million NCP vehicles were operating in some regions and formed part of a “political-terror-crime nexus.” Such vehicles were being used in terror movements and vehicle-borne explosive attacks.

“Why are they not stopping them? Whose responsibility is this?” he asked.

Breakdown in Pak-Afghan Dialogue

Commenting on recent diplomatic tensions, Lt Gen Chaudhry said Pakistan had presented detailed evidence of TTP presence in Afghanistan during earlier talks, which Afghan representatives “could not deny.”

He said Pakistan was open to a verifiable third-party security agreement to curb cross-border terrorism but stressed that the Afghan Taliban had failed to function as a state since 2021.

He listed multiple non-state militant groups operating from Afghanistan, including TTP, ETIM, IMU, Al Qaeda, Daesh and others, saying they continued to receive patronage.

“Our problem is not with the Afghans. Our problem is with the Afghan Taliban regime,” he stated.

Repatriation and Indian Claims

The DG ISPR said Pakistan had repatriated 971,604 illegal migrants this year, including 239,574 in November alone, far higher than in 2024.

He also dismissed accusations by the Afghan Taliban about alleged Pakistani strikes in Afghan territory, asserting: “In our view, the only good terrorist is a dead terrorist.”

Regarding India, he criticised recent remarks by the Indian army chief, saying New Delhi was attempting to “sell defeat as victory.”

Local Engagement Missing in KP

Lt Gen Chaudhry called for stronger implementation of the non-kinetic components of the National Action Plan (NAP), emphasising the need for school visits, jirgas, and local engagements. He said although 140 such interactions occur daily, much more was needed — particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where he believed administrative engagement was lacking.

He noted 949 development projects were underway in 35 districts, including initiatives under the Green Balochistan Programme.

Smuggling Crackdown & Counter-Terror Operations

He said smuggling of Iranian diesel was a major financial pillar for terrorist networks. Daily smuggled volumes had dropped from 20.5 million litres to 2.7 million litres due to government and military crackdowns.

Since November 4 alone, he said, 4,910 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) had been conducted — averaging 233 per day — and 206 terrorists had been killed.

From January to date, 67,023 IBOs were conducted nationwide:

·       53,000+ in Balochistan

·       12,800+ in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

·       Around 850 in other regions

During the same period, Pakistan witnessed 4,729 terrorist incidents, with KP and Balochistan suffering the highest numbers.
Tagged:

Terrorism

PakistanSecurity

DGISPR

AfghanBorder
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