The Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) recently delivered an exhaustively detailed and statistically comprehensive press briefing, which served as a meticulous accounting of Pakistan’s nationwide counterterrorism operations conducted throughout the entire calendar year of 2025. This critical report not only highlighted the significant, measurable achievements realized in the arduous and continuous maintenance of national security but, with profound solemnity, also detailed the enormous, non-quantifiable sacrifices made by the armed forces and allied security personnel in the execution of their duty. The data presented paints a vivid picture of a state security apparatus operating at an unprecedented, high-tempo level, reflecting an unrelenting national commitment to rooting out violent extremism.
The statistical core of the briefing was the astonishing volume of preemptive security actions: the Pakistan Army and all allied security and intelligence agencies executed a staggering, record-breaking total of 67,023 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) across the nation during 2025. To fully grasp the intensity of this effort, this number translates to approximately 208 targeted, intelligence-driven operations every single day—a pace of continuous, high-risk engagement that clearly underscores the fierce and relentless commitment of the military and intelligence community. Their primary goal remained the proactive identification, meticulous tracking, and decisive neutralization of extremist threats before they could be allowed to coalesce and materialize into large-scale, violent incidents that would destabilize society. Every single one of these IBOs required meticulous, multi-layered planning, flawless, real-time coordination across various agencies, and surgical execution, effectively fusing tactical precision with the most current intelligence. This strategic approach was engineered specifically to target entrenched terrorist networks, systematically dismantle their operational and logistical infrastructure, and successfully apprehend or, when operational necessity dictated, eliminate high-value terrorist operatives. The sheer, overwhelming volume of these operations stands as a powerful testament not just to the persistence, institutional strength, and resilience of Pakistan’s security forces, but also reflects the profoundly complex, adaptive, and often transnational nature of terrorism within the country. Extremist elements continuously sought new, insidious ways to exploit geographic, political, and social vulnerabilities, aiming to fracture and destabilize society through violence, intimidation, and sophisticated ideological manipulation.
Yet, these operational achievements were tragically counterbalanced by the profound and heart-wrenching human cost of these ceaseless counterterrorism efforts, which dramatically illustrated the immense, personal sacrifices borne by soldiers, law enforcement personnel, and countless civilians alike. The year 2025 saw a total of 4,729 terrorist incidents officially recorded nationwide, a grim figure that forcefully highlighted the pervasive, ongoing, and serious threat to both public safety and the foundational stability of the nation. The offensive operations conducted to directly counter this violent surge resulted in the confirmed elimination of 1,873 terrorists, a clear, measurable metric demonstrating the undeniable effectiveness of intelligence-driven actions in systematically degrading and weakening extremist organizational capacity. Simultaneously, these successful efforts were paid for by the ultimate sacrifice, demanding tremendous, unyielding courage and resilience from those on the frontlines. This is solemnly evidenced by the 1,073 brave martyrs who tragically lost their lives in the unwavering line of duty. Breaking down this supreme sacrifice, 584 were soldiers of the Pakistan Army, 133 were dedicated members of various law enforcement agencies (LEAs), and a heartbreaking total of 356 were innocent civilians who were brutally victimized by indiscriminate acts of extremism. These figures collectively and starkly illustrate the immense human toll that terrorism continues to exact upon Pakistani society and underscore the extraordinary, foundational dedication of the armed forces in confronting violent extremism with uncompromising resolve, even when faced with the highest possible personal risk. Each single number within this solemn count represents countless untold stories of profound bravery, fierce national determination, and the ultimate willingness of individuals—from the military officer to the ordinary citizen—to selflessly protect their nation, their local communities, and their fellow citizens at the supreme cost of their own personal safety and life.
Furthermore, the DG ISPR’s comprehensive briefing provided a critical, geographically focused breakdown of the counterterrorism campaign, placing particular emphasis on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). This province has historically faced a uniquely persistent and intense security threat environment, primarily due to its rugged, mountainous terrain and its crucial geopolitical proximity to volatile, conflict-prone border areas. In KPK, the number of terrorism-related incidents recorded in 2025 stood at 3357. This accurately reflects the continuous, formidable, and complex challenge posed by resilient extremist groups constantly attempting to exploit deep-seated local and geographic vulnerabilities. The targeted security operations executed within this province led to the confirmed elimination of 77 terrorists, which unequivocally demonstrated the sophisticated tactical effectiveness and precision of the coordinated operations carried out jointly by the Pakistan Army and the Frontier Corps (FC), often having to fight under the most difficult physical conditions and challenging operational environments. Regrettably, these vital efforts were never without profound human cost. Casualties recorded in KPK included 36 martyrs from the Army and FC, while 138 personnel were seriously injured while performing their duties under fire. This localized operational data vividly underscores the intense, unrelenting operational pressure and the exceptionally high level of unwavering commitment and physical endurance demanded of security forces in that region, whose primary mission is to maintain firm control, neutralize threats, and safeguard the vulnerable civilian populations. This reality highlights the undeniable fact that counterterrorism is far more than a simple strategic or tactical victory; it always comes with substantial and enduring human and operational costs, powerfully reflecting the deep-seated courage, unwavering perseverance, and ultimate selflessness of Pakistan’s entire security establishment and its personnel.
The exhaustive information presented by the DG ISPR in the detailed press briefing paints a visceral, accurate, and strategically vital picture of the true scale, relentless intensity, and profound consequences of Pakistan’s comprehensive counterterrorism operations in 2025. The core data—the combination of the astounding 67,023 intelligence-based operations, the decisive elimination of 1,873 terrorists, the tragic occurrence of 4,729 terrorist incidents, and the ultimate, sorrowful loss of 1,873 martyrs—collectively illustrates the immense, multi-faceted, and enduring challenges the nation faces in its continuing struggle against extremist violence and militancy. Yet, these solemn numbers also powerfully reveal the extraordinary depth of sacrifice undertaken by the Pakistan Army, the tireless law enforcement agencies, and the resilient civilians, who have collectively borne the heaviest brunt of extremist violence while remaining utterly steadfast, resolute, and unwavering in their fundamental commitment to the preservation of national security and the rule of law. The totality of the data stands as an unbreakable testament to the resilience and fierce determination of Pakistan’s entire security apparatus and highlights the truly extraordinary, persistent efforts made to systematically eradicate the plague of terrorism from every corner of the country. Crucially, this effort reflects a broader, profound societal commitment, where the collective and individual sacrifices of military personnel, LEAs, and civilians reinforce the deep-seated, national resolve to courageously confront extremism and perpetually preserve the peace, hard-won stability, and fundamental sovereignty of the state. The DG ISPR’s briefing, therefore, functions as far more than just a clinical record of operational metrics; it stands as a perennial, powerful reminder of the profound human cost that must be continuously paid to maintain national security and the unyielding, foundational dedication of Pakistan’s armed forces in protecting their country against persistent, complex, and rapidly evolving threats, ensuring the safety and future of generations to come.
The 2025 counterterrorism campaign in Pakistan marked a decisive and transformative phase in the nation’s ongoing struggle against extremism, combining intelligence-driven operations, advanced technology, strong leadership, and coordinated inter-agency efforts to dismantle militant networks across both rural and urban regions. Through rigorous planning, ethical conduct, and humanitarian engagement, the Pakistan Army neutralized high-value targets, disrupted supply chains, reduced terrorist incidents, and restored stability in affected areas, while simultaneously supporting reconstruction and community resilience. The year’s achievements—built on the sacrifices of security forces and the resilience of local communities—underscore that counterterrorism is a continuous, collective effort requiring strategic foresight, national unity, and sustained commitment to permanently eliminate extremist threats and safeguard the country’s long-term security.
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