Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, has launched a scathing attack on India, accusing its state institutions, including the army, of being driven by extremist ideologies and engaging in state-sponsored terrorism against Pakistan.
In a recent interview with German news outlet DW, Lt. Gen. Chaudhry stated, “It’s very important that the international players, like the US, they must intervene and resolve the issues which are the enduring reasons of the ongoing conflict [between Pakistan and India].” He emphasized that the conflict is not merely a ceasefire, but an enduring issue fueled by Kashmir, state-sponsored terrorism, and the rise of Hindutva extremism. He added, “[…] It is important for the international community […] through its mediation, the Indians are made to realise that this sort of irrationality, strategic arrogance, hubristic attitude that they’ve adopted, it’s not going to work.”
The ISPR chief directly accused India of supporting terrorism within Pakistan, stating, “The correct term is not insurgents, it’s terrorists. There is no insurgency in Pakistan. Whether it’s in Balochistan or KP. It’s pure terrorism. We have no doubt in our minds that each terror incident that happens inside Pakistan, behind that is Indian support and abatement.” He cited at least six dossiers, provided to the international community between 2009 and 2023, as evidence of Indian involvement.
Lt. Gen. Chaudhry highlighted Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts, noting that law enforcement agencies conducted 47,900 intelligence-based operations this year, resulting in 1,016 terrorists killed, but also 762 martyrdoms, including nearly 300 civilians. He argued that the scale of the threat demonstrates the existence of external support, stating, “If you see the quantum of efforts and this terrorism if it was only homegrown and home supported it would’ve been over way back. Just by the amount of threat against Pakistan, any sane mind can understand that this cannot go on without external, sustained support and a base of operations.” He identified Afghanistan as India’s base of operations, utilizing groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Addressing the lack of Western endorsement of Pakistan’s claims, Lt. Gen. Chaudhry attributed it to India’s superior information and disinformation capabilities and the West’s economic ties with India. He also refuted allegations of Pakistani support for terrorism as part of an Indian disinformation campaign, stating, “[…] you [India] yourself commit terrorism [and on the other hand] you start crying on top of your lungs — that the other side is committing terrorism”. He acknowledged Pakistan’s past involvement with Mujahideen during the Soviet-Afghan war but stressed the subsequent costs to Pakistani society. Finally, he denied that Pakistan sponsors terrorism, stating, “We believe as a state that a terrorist has no religion. There is no Muslim, Hindu, Christian terrorist,” and emphasized that Pakistan takes action against all terrorists regardless of affiliation.
