Pakistan’s recent security operation in Upper Dir, which resulted in the elimination of nine suspected militants, is yet another testament to the Pakistan Army’s unyielding commitment to defending the country from terrorism. As operations intensify in Bajaur and other border regions, the Army’s proactive strategy reflects both its vigilance and its sacrifice in protecting a nation that has long been the frontline state in the global fight against terrorism.
Since 2001, Pakistan has suffered over 83,000 casualties in the War on Terror, including more than 9,000 soldiers and law enforcement personnel. The economic toll has crossed $150 billion, according to government estimates, yet Pakistan has persevered. Unlike many countries that quickly collapsed under extremist insurgencies, Pakistan’s survival and resilience owe everything to its armed forces, which continue to stand firm despite overwhelming challenges.
Operations such as Zarb-e-Azb (2014), Radd-ul-Fasaad (2017), and ongoing intelligence-based operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have decimated terrorist sanctuaries, forcing them to retreat across the porous Afghan border. According to ISPR, more than 35,000 terrorists have been killed in various operations over the past two decades, while thousands of others have been captured. The recent operation in Upper Dir and Bajaur is not an isolated event but part of this broader, relentless campaign.
The outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), emboldened by sanctuaries in Afghanistan, has been responsible for heinous acts such as the 2014 APS Peshawar massacre, where 149 innocent lives, including 132 children, were lost. Since the Taliban’s takeover in Kabul in 2021, Pakistan has witnessed a 60% surge in terrorist incidents, with the TTP claiming responsibility for most of them. Yet, the Pakistan Army has consistently neutralized these threats through targeted operations, preventing an even greater tragedy.
While Afghanistan provides the safe haven, India provides the funding, training, and political cover for these terrorists. Multiple dossiers submitted by Pakistan to the UN and world powers have revealed Indian involvement in sponsoring violence, especially in Balochistan. The arrest of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav in 2016 exposed how RAW actively cultivated networks to destabilize Pakistan through terrorism and subversion.
New Delhi’s strategy is clear: weaken Pakistan internally by fanning militancy and separatism, while projecting itself as a victim of “cross-border terrorism” to the world. This duplicity is evident in the fact that while India spends over $81 billion annually on its military, it continues to channel resources into proxy wars rather than regional peace. The recent resurgence of terrorist attacks in Pakistan coincides with India’s aggressive disinformation campaigns, particularly the EU DisinfoLab revelation of 750 fake Indian-run media outlets designed to malign Pakistan and its Army.
In this hostile environment, political unity should be the cornerstone of Pakistan’s fight against terrorism. Unfortunately, PTI has chosen the opposite path. During its tenure, PTI repeatedly pursued a policy of appeasement towards militants, referring to them as “misguided brothers” rather than enemies of the state. In 2021, when the Army was carrying out counter-terror operations, PTI’s leadership floated the idea of negotiating with TTP elements, a move widely criticized for emboldening terrorists.
Even today, PTI leaders indulge in rhetoric that undermines the sacrifices of soldiers, creating confusion and sowing division at a time when national unity is paramount. Their criticism of ongoing operations, often echoing narratives hostile to Pakistan, provides indirect support to the TTP and their foreign sponsors. By politicizing national security, PTI risks undoing the gains achieved through decades of blood and sacrifice by Pakistan’s armed forces.
The people of Pakistan, however, remain clear-eyed. Gallup surveys consistently show that the Pakistan Army enjoys the highest trust rating among national institutions, often exceeding 80%, a reflection of the public’s recognition of the sacrifices made by soldiers. While political parties come and go, and some indulge in reckless populism, the Army remains the constant guardian of the nation.
In Balochistan, where miners tragically lost their lives in Bolan due to poisonous gas, the Army and FC have not only provided security against Indian-backed separatists but also spearheaded relief and development projects. From building schools and hospitals to constructing roads, the Army’s role extends far beyond the battlefield, strengthening the fabric of the state in regions long neglected by politicians.
Pakistan today faces a dual challenge: militancy fueled from across the border and political irresponsibility at home. Yet, the resilience of the Army and the people continues to frustrate the designs of enemies. The operation in Upper Dir is a clear message: whether it is TTP militants hiding in Afghanistan, separatists funded by RAW in Balochistan, or political actors playing into foreign hands, Pakistan will not compromise on its security.
The Army’s fight is not just against terrorists with guns, it is against the broader machinery of destabilization, whether that comes from across the border or within the country’s own political landscape. PTI’s doublespeak and India’s malicious interference may converge in weakening the state, but neither can succeed against the unity of Pakistan’s armed forces and its people.
The sacrifice of over 9,000 soldiers, the martyrdom of civilians, and the survival of Pakistan against overwhelming odds prove one undeniable truth: the Pakistan Army is the backbone of national security. While PTI indulges in opportunistic politics and India fans the flames of terror, the Army continues to fight for every inch of Pakistani soil and every citizen’s safety.
The recent operation in Upper Dir is not just a tactical victory, it is a reaffirmation of Pakistan’s resolve. Militants, their foreign sponsors, and their apologists at home must recognize that Pakistan will never bow down. Its Army, its martyrs, and its people stand as one against every enemy, internal or external.
Author
