CDF Asim Munir vows tough action against terrorist groups

Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir has vowed to intensify operations against what Pakistan describes as

Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir has vowed to intensify operations against what Pakistan describes as Indian-sponsored terrorist groups, warning that security forces will target them wherever they operate.

During a visit to Corps Headquarters in Peshawar on Friday, Munir received a briefing on the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, ongoing counterterrorism operations, border management and the operational readiness of troops deployed in the province.

According to the military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations, the field marshal praised the morale and professionalism of officers and soldiers. He directed them to remain vigilant and maintain a high level of operational preparedness to counter security threats.

Munir reaffirmed the military’s commitment to continuing its campaign against militant groups. He also paid tribute to the sacrifices of Pakistan’s people and security personnel, including those killed and injured in the fight against terrorism.

He expressed confidence that Pakistan, with public support, would defeat militant groups and their ideology, according to the ISPR statement.

The visit came a day after Munir attended a meeting of the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The meeting reviewed the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and discussed measures to restore peace and accelerate development in the province.

Shehbaz defended the federal government’s decision to impose emergency measures and governor’s rule in the province, saying the deteriorating security situation required action. He maintained that the Constitution and law provided the authority for the measures and thanked coalition partners for supporting the decision.

The developments come amid a renewed wave of militant violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Security assessments presented to the federal cabinet indicated that terrorist incidents in the province had risen by 195 per cent between March 2024 and September 2026, with police and security personnel among the main targets.

On Thursday, four police personnel, including a deputy superintendent of police from the Counter-Terrorism Department, were killed during an exchange of fire with armed men in Karak. In a separate incident in Bannu, a remote-controlled bomb explosion injured two civilians.