Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has said that the actions of a single terrorist should never endanger innocent civilians, stressing that counter-terrorism operations are intelligence-based to ensure precision and civilian safety.

Speaking to students from Balochistan during a special session, the DG ISPR clarified that the military has no interest in harming civilians under the guise of operations. “No community should be penalised for the actions of an individual. Once troops withdraw, any unaddressed threats could resurface, which is why local cooperation is vital,” he remarked.

Paying tribute to Major Muhammad Anwar Kakar — who had previously neutralised terrorists in the Gwadar attack — Lt Gen Chaudhry said the sacrifices of officers, soldiers, and civilians reflect Pakistan’s resolve to eliminate terrorism.

He warned that civilians providing shelter to terrorists or storing explosives would face consequences, but the wider community should never be targeted.

The DG ISPR praised the people of Balochistan for actively reporting terrorist presence and standing firm against extremism. He underlined that the province’s youth embodies patriotism and understands its strong bond with Pakistan.

Highlighting Balochistan’s diversity, he noted that over 30% of its population comprises Pashtuns, while more Baloch live outside the province than within it. He also cited examples of accomplished Baloch figures — including Cambridge-educated scientist Samad Yar Jang, martial artist Shahzaib Rind, and female deputy commissioners — as proof that education is empowering the community to shape its own future.

Concluding, Lt Gen Chaudhry emphasised that Pakistan’s essence, rooted in “Lā ilāha illallāh,” binds the nation together beyond ethnic or regional identities.