Chief of Defence Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir on Wednesday warned that Pakistan’s armed forces remain fully aware of state‑sponsored attempts by hostile intelligence agencies to destabilise the country and vowed that terrorism originating across the border would be crushed with “the full might of the state.” The remarks were made in a statement released by the Inter‑Services Public Relations (ISPR) and during his address at the National Defence University in Islamabad.
The ISPR said the CDF insisted proxy networks operating under foreign tutelage would not be allowed to undermine Pakistan’s internal security or economic prosperity. His speech coincided with an ISPR briefing that detailed recent casualties and operations in Balochistan.
Latest toll and operations
Casualties and militant losses
- ISPR figures: since 5 July, four civilians, 27 policemen and 11 security personnel have been martyred in attacks and subsequent operations.
- Security response: 54 terrorists have been killed during counter‑terrorism operations in the same period, ISPR said.
Recent attacks in Balochistan
- Incidents: the statement noted a series of high‑profile attacks an armed assault near Quetta on 5 July, an attack on a police post in Ziarat on 6 July, and an ambush on an army convoy in Bela on Wednesday.
- Response: security forces have launched operations to dismantle the networks involved and pursue perpetrators.
CDF’s address at NDU
Themes and priorities
- Strategic clarity: Field Marshal Munir emphasised the evolving nature of warfare and the need for strategic clarity, institutional professionalism and adaptive operational planning.
- Institutional praise: he lauded institutions like the NDU for preparing military and civilian leaders to face hybrid, conventional and sub‑conventional threats.
- Call to values: he urged graduating officers to uphold integrity, unity, discipline and selfless service, stating “wars are not won through media rhetoric or political sloganeering but through faith, unity and discipline.”
Wider security picture
Trends and data
- PICSS data: the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies reported an overall decline in anti‑state violence in June, with Balochistan recording 49 attacks in June versus 71 in May a 31% reduction.
- Caveat: despite the month‑on‑month drop, recent concentrated attacks underscore persistent security challenges and the need for sustained operations.
