Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir has vowed to intensify the campaign against militant groups allegedly sponsored by India, pledging a forceful response to security threats across Pakistan.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Munir made the remarks during a visit to the Corps Headquarters in Peshawar, where he received briefings on the prevailing security situation, ongoing counterterrorism operations, border management and the operational readiness of military formations deployed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Upon his arrival, the CDF was received by the Peshawar Corps commander. During the visit, he praised the morale and professionalism of the armed forces and directed personnel to maintain vigilance and the highest standards of operational preparedness to counter emerging threats.
The military’s media wing quoted Munir as saying that the armed forces would continue operations against what it described as “Indian-sponsored terrorist outfits” and would pursue them wherever they operated.
He also paid tribute to security personnel who lost their lives in the fight against militancy, expressing confidence that Pakistan would defeat terrorist groups and their ideology with the support of the public.
A day before the visit, Munir attended a meeting of the provincial apex committee at the Governor House, where officials reviewed the overall security situation in KP.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who chaired the meeting, said the federal government would make every possible effort to restore progress and development in the province, which is currently under governor’s rule
According to a recent report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), Pakistan recorded an 83 per cent increase in violence-related fatalities during the third quarter of 2026, reversing the decline reported in the first two quarters.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan remained the main centres of violence, jointly accounting for 98 per cent of reported fatalities during the period. Balochistan recorded 829 deaths, representing nearly 59 per cent of the national total, while KP reported 556 fatalities, accounting for more than 39 per cent.
The rise in militant activity has prompted security forces to step up counterterrorism operations across the country.
In a recent incident in Karak district of KP, four police personnel, including two officials, were killed and two militants died during an exchange of fire.
Separately, an army major was killed and four militants were reported dead during intelligence-based operations in Balochistan on October 19.
Security forces also killed eight militants described by the military as “India-sponsored” during intelligence-based operations in the Quetta, Nushki and Khuzdar districts of Balochistan.
