ISLAMABAD: Director General of the ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has rejected claims of mass civilian casualties in Kabul, stating that figures being circulated by the Afghan Taliban are exaggerated and must be viewed within a broader context of Pakistan’s ongoing counter-terrorism campaign. In an interview with a local television channel, the DG ISPR said that statements issued by Pakistan’s information minister on the incident should be treated as factual, not merely explanatory. He emphasised that Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq is part of a sustained and long-term war against terrorism, rather than an isolated military action. He asserted that terrorism in Pakistan is being orchestrated from across the border, alleging that militant groups operate from Afghan territory with external backing. He further claimed that it is widely acknowledged in Pakistan’s academic and public discourse that India is supporting such elements while using Afghanistan as a base. The military spokesperson said that many recent terrorist incidents inside Pakistan — including attacks on mosques, civilians, and law enforcement personnel — have operational links tracing back to Afghanistan. He added that in incidents in Bajaur and Wana, the attackers were Afghan nationals, and that a significant portion of these networks consists of individuals trained and facilitated from across the border. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026