The Pakistani military has reiterated its firm stance against last year’s riots led by supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, dismissing any suggestions of a softened approach. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, military spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry emphasized that there would be no change in the army’s position towards the May 9 rioters. These individuals had attacked government and military facilities following Khan’s brief detention, which came after his fall from power and subsequent allegations against the military.
In his address, Chaudhry also accused the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) and the Baloch Raaji Muchi (Baloch National Grand Jirga) of acting as proxies for terrorist organizations and criminal networks. These groups have been involved in protests in Gwadar, demanding the release of detained members and criticizing development projects as harmful to local interests. The military spokesperson accused them of trying to stir public sentiment against the army and derail important economic initiatives, including those funded by China in Balochistan, a province long troubled by separatist insurgency.
Chaudhry reported that recent clashes in Gwadar resulted in the death of a soldier and injuries to several others. He also provided an update on the broader security situation in Pakistan, revealing that 139 soldiers had lost their lives in counter-terrorism operations in the first seven months of 2024. He noted a rise in militant attacks, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with daily operations being conducted to neutralize threats.
The Pakistani military remains adamant about continuing its fight against terrorism, with ongoing operations targeting militants and insurgents. Tensions with Afghanistan have escalated due to Islamabad’s accusations that insurgents are using Afghan territory to launch attacks, a claim denied by the Taliban administration.
