August 05, 2024
Staff Report
Rawalpindi
In a press conference held on Monday in Rawalpindi, DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry labelled the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) and its purported leaders as proxies for terrorist organisations.
General Chaudhry said that the Pakistan Army is neutral in political matters and focused solely on the country’s development. He reaffirmed the Army’s unwavering support for Kashmiris, underscoring their right to self-determination and honoring their sacrifices.
He addressed the rise in organized propaganda against the Army, explaining that frequent press conferences are now necessary to counter misinformation and highlight the Army’s counter-terrorism efforts. To ascertain his point, he said this year the Army has conducted 23,622 intelligence-based operations, and during the operations conducted in the last 15 days, 24 terrorists have been killed. “Over 100 operations are carried out daily by various agencies to combat terrorism.”
He noted that while the Army’s economic contributions are often undervalued domestically, it is recognized in other countries.He mentioned the recent government decision to label the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as Fitna al-Khawarij. “From now on, TTP will be called by Fitna al-Khawarij, and the terrorists associated with the group will be called khawarij (outcast). This is because it is neither a movement nor has anything to do with Islam or Pakistan.”
Regarding recent protests in Balochistan, DG ISPR accused the Baloch Raji Machi (Baloch National Gathering) of being proxies of terrorist organisations . He claimed that these groups aim to discredit law enforcement and undermine provincial development by inciting violence and unrest.
Citing recent incidents in Gwadar, he said “Protestors engaged in violence, including stone-pelting and torching vehicles, leading to the martyrdom of a Frontier Corps soldier”.
He added that when law enforcement agencies respond to pressure from the BYC, the group portrays itself as innocent – “And then those with external agendas who sit with them start speaking in the name of human rights organisations.”
He further added, “You saw a spectacle in Gwadar last few days.”
He explained that despite the aggression, law enforcement agencies exercised restraint, following directives to handle the situation with care.