Tag: Inter-Services Public Relations

  • Security forces kill two terrorists in Tank

    Security forces kill two terrorists in Tank

    Two terrorists and one militant were killed by security forces on Friday in an Intelligence-Based Operation (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Tank district, the military’s media wing has confirmed.

    According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces conducted the operation after reports of the presence of terrorists in the area.

    “During the conduct of the operation, after an intense fire exchange, two terrorists, including HVT (high-value target) Gul Yousaf, also known as Toor, were sent to hell,” said the ISPR.

    Yousaf was involved in numerous terrorist activities, including targeted killings of civilians and attacks on security forces in Tank and Dera Ismail Khan.

  • Adil Farooq Raja and Haider Raza Mehdi convicted for ‘inciting sedition’

    Adil Farooq Raja and Haider Raza Mehdi convicted for ‘inciting sedition’

    Two retired officers of the Pakistan Army have been convicted and sentenced for “inciting sedition” under the Army Act and violations of the provisions of the Official Secrets Act, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Saturday.

    “Major (Retired) Adil Farooq Raja and Captain (Retired) Haider Raza Mehdi, both retired officers of the Pakistan Army, were convicted and sentenced through Field General Court Martial (FGCM),” said the military’s media wing.

    “The retired officers have been sentenced under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952 for the charges of inciting sedition among army personnel from the discharge of duties and violation of the provisions of the Official Secrets Act, 1923 related to espionage and acts prejudicial to the safety and interest of the state.”

    The statement added that the court of competent jurisdiction convicted and adjudged both individuals on the date of 7th and 9th October 2023, through a due judicial process. Major (retd) Raja has been given 14 years of rigorous imprisonment while Captain (retd) Mehdi is awarded 12 years of rigorous imprisonment, it said.

    “Pursuant to the awarded sentence, the ranks of both officers have been forfeited on November 21, 2023,” added the ISPR.

  • Considering significant medical, legal, and security challenges: Musharraf’s family

    Considering significant medical, legal, and security challenges: Musharraf’s family

    Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General (retd) Pervez Musharraf’s family on Sunday said that they are reviewing the medical, legal, and security challenges before deciding on his return to Pakistan.

    Musharraf’s family said that Pakistan lacks the required medicines and medical facilities, adding that a continuous supply of a drug called ‘daratumumab’ and treatment of amyloidosis is needed which is currently not available in the country.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Chief Nawaz Sharif and Inter-Services Pub­lic Relations (ISPR) Director-Gen­eral (DG) Major General Babar Iftik­har both appear to be on the same page regarding Musharraf’s return to Pakistan.

    READ MORE: ‘Military leadership’s stance is that Pervez Musharraf should return’: DG ISPR

    DG ISPR said, “In such a situation, the institution and leadership’s stance is that Pervez Musharraf should return,” said DG ISPR in Dunya News programme, ‘On The Front with Kamran Shahid’.

    “Musharraf Saab is seriously ill. We have contacted his family. Once his family responds and the doctors allow him to travel, we can make the required arrangements.”

    On the other hand, Nawaz said, “I have no personal enmity or animosity towards Pervez Musharraf. I don’t want anyone else to suffer the traumas I have had to endure for my loved ones. I pray to Almighty Allah for his health. If he wants to return to Pakistan, the government should facilitate him.”

    Musharraf, 78, is critically ill these days as he is suffering from a condition called amyloidosis, his office said earlier this month.

  • ‘Military leadership’s stance is that Pervez Musharraf should return’: DG ISPR

    ‘Military leadership’s stance is that Pervez Musharraf should return’: DG ISPR

    Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar said on Tuesday that the military’s leadership believes that former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General (retd) Pervez Musharraf should return to Pakistan.

    “In such a situation, the institution and leadership’s stance is that Pervez Musharraf should return,” said DG ISPR in Dunya News programme, ‘On The Front with Kamran Shahid’.

    “Musharraf Saab is seriously ill. We have contacted his family. Once his family responds and the doctors allow him to travel, we can make the required arrangements.”

    Nawaz Sharif urges govt to facilitate Musharraf’s return

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif urged the government to facilitate Musharraf’s return to the country.

    “I have no personal enmity or animosity towards Pervez Musharraf. I don’t want anyone else to suffer the traumas I have had to endure for my loved ones. I pray to Almighty Allah for his health. If he wants to return to Pakistan, the government should facilitate him,” said Nawaz in a tweet.

    Intelligence agencies clarified in NSC meeting that there was no conspiracy against Khan: DG ISPR

    The military’s spokesperson expressed regret over the propaganda initiated against the army and the military leadership on social media. 

    DG ISPR once again reiterated that no conspiracy was hatched to oust former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan. He said that the military leadership was present in the National Security Council (NSC) meeting and the participants were clearly briefed by the intelligence agencies.

    “[They were] briefed that there was no conspiracy or evidence of any kind [against the then government], nothing like that happened. Participants were told in detail that there was no evidence of any conspiracy,” said the DG ISPR.

  • ‘ISPR did not interview Hafeez Shaikh for caretaker prime minister’: Journalist Nadeem Malik

    ‘ISPR did not interview Hafeez Shaikh for caretaker prime minister’: Journalist Nadeem Malik

    “The ISPR is saying we have not interviewed anyone nor contacted Hafeez Shaikh. It’s not our work to appoint a caretaker prime minister. A caretaker prime minister will be made through constitutional means,” revealed Senior journalist Nadeem Malik during his political talk show “Nadeem Malik Live” on Samaa News. He was quoting the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

    Former Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed claimed that interviews of economists for the seat of the caretaker prime minister are being conducted in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

    Senior journalist and anchorperson Hamid Mir also refuted Rasheed’s claims by quoting ISPR.

    The statement came as former Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh returned from the United States after the Sindh High Court (SHC) granted him a 10-day transit bail and ordered NAB not to arrest him. Reportedly, he was accorded extraordinary protocol at Karachi Airport on Tuesday.

  • ‘Breath of fresh air’: Opposition reacts to DG ISPR’s press conference

    ‘Breath of fresh air’: Opposition reacts to DG ISPR’s press conference

    Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar’s presser on Thursday is being appreciated by the Opposition after weeks of political drama.

    Reacting to DG ISPR declaring that the word “conspiracy” had not been used in the statement issued after the March 31 meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari termed the news conference of the military spokesman a “breath of fresh air for democracy”.

    “It is [the] responsibility not only of every institution but every Pakistani to support democracy, constitution, and rule of law,” tweeted Bilawal.

    “Parliament , Judiciary & establishment transition from controversial to constitutional roles will not be easy. The answer to all of Pakistans problems is democracy, democracy and more democracy. If we continue on this path no power on earth can stop Pakistan’s progress,” said Bilawal.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz tweeted, “It is time to make you accountable for your condemnable efforts […] to play with the national security in a bid to save [your] regime.”

    “Face accountability, do not run away like always because this nation won’t let you this time,” said Maryam. Her words were directed at former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan.

    “You played a dangerous game to cling to power and used the NSC forum for your conspiracy plot. You built a fake narrative of absolutely not for the bases that were never demanded. You begged the establishment for an NRO and lied that they gave you those options,” tweeted Maryam.

    Addressing a press conference on the recently held 79th Formation Commanders’ Conference, the DG ISPR said he cannot discuss what was discussed in the NSC meeting, but noted that the word “conspiracy” was not used.

    DG ISPR said that the establishment did not put forth options before Khan. He, however, said that during the deadlock, Prime Minister’s Office contacted the military leadership to resolve the matter.

    “The political parties were not ready for talks with each other to end the deadlock at that time,” he said. “The army chief and DG ISI visited the PM’s Office at their request to play the role of mediator.”

  • ‘Did National Security Committee declare197 National Assembly members as traitors?’ Bilawal asks ISPR

    ‘Did National Security Committee declare197 National Assembly members as traitors?’ Bilawal asks ISPR

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has demanded a clarification from Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Babar Iftikhar, asking if the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting declared 197 Members of the National Assembly (MNA) as traitors.

    Bilawal tweeted, “Will @OfficialDGISPR clarify did NSC meeting declare the 197 members of NA traitors and part of a foreign plot? Can the foreign office or defense ministry produce any official correspondence between 7-27th on foreign sazish.”

    “A plot of this scale would have been uncovered by our own intelligence agencies and other institutions, not just an ambassadors cable?” questioned Bilawal.

    “Imran’s ego is not more important than Pakistan,” said Bilawal hitting at the prime minister.

  • ‘Army has nothing to do with politics’: DG ISPR

    ‘Army has nothing to do with politics’: DG ISPR

    Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Babar Iftikhar on Thursday categorically stated that the Pakistan Army has nothing to do with politics.

    “I had clearly stated in my last press conference that the army has nothing to do with politics,” said General Iftikhar, adding, “It is this way and it will remain this way.”

    He also requested that there “be no unnecessary speculations about this now”.

    DG ISPR on Thursday briefed the media on an Indian “high-speed flying object” that fell in Mian Channu, Khanewal district on Wednesday night.

    “It was a supersonic flying object, most probably a missile, but it was certainly unarmed,” he said.

    “On March 9, at 6:43pm, a high-speed flying object was picked up inside the Indian territory by Air Defence Operations Centre of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). From its initial course, the object suddenly manoeuvred towards Pakistani territory and violated Pakistan’s air space, ultimately falling near Mian Channu at 6:50pm.”

    “When it fell, it damaged civilian properties,” he said, adding that no loss of life was reported.

    “It is important to highlight that the flight path of this object endangered many international and domestic passenger flights — both in Indian and Pakistani air space — as well as human life and property on the ground. Whatever caused this incident to happen, it is for the Indians to explain. It, nevertheless, shows their disregard for aviation safety and reflects very poorly on their technological prowess and procedural efficiency,” he said, adding that this could have resulted in a major aviation disaster.

  • Pakistan Army promotes two Hindu officers to Lieutenant Colonel

    Pakistan Army promotes two Hindu officers to Lieutenant Colonel

    The Pakistan Army has promoted two Hindu officers, Kelash Kumar and Aneel Kumar, to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel for the first time in the history of Pakistan.

    Dr Kelash Kumar belongs to the Tharparkar district in Sindh province and Dr Aneel Kumar belongs to the Badin district.

    They are the first officers from the Hindu community who received a promotion from Major to Lieutenant Colonel.

    They both are serving in the Medical Corps of the Pakistan Army.

    Prior to the year 2000, Hindu officers were not appointed to senior positions in the Pakistan Army. However, a former dictator, General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf had issued orders under a decree appointing Hindus to senior positions in the Army. Since then, six Hindu officers have risen to the rank of Major, of which Kelash Kumar and Aneel Kumar have now become the first officers to reach the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

    Dr Kelash was honored with a ‘Medal of Defense’, on his courage as he performed a 36- day duty at the Saddle Checkpost in Baltoro Sector near K2 at an altitude of 22,000 feet, which is a record in itself.

    Major Dr Kelash got a commission in Pakistan Army in 2007. He joined a hospital in North Sudan as a senior doctor in 2012. He later took part in Operation Al-Mizan in Orakzai Agency of Waziristan and Operation Rah-e-Rast in Swat.

    Major Dr Aneel Kumar got a commission in Pakistan Army in 2008.

    Until now, six Hindu Army officers have been appointed in Pakistan Army.

    Hindu activist, Kapil Dev took to Twitter to celebrate the inclusivity of the Hindu community in the Armed Forces.

    He said, “History in Making Kelash Kumar becomes the first #Hindu officer to have been promoted as Lieutenant Colonel in #PakArmy. Congratulations, Kelash!!!.”

  • Security forces seize arms, ammunition during intelligence operation in North Waziristan

    Pakistani security forces conducted an Intelligence Based Operation (IBO) in North Waziristan district and recovered a large number of arms and ammunition.

    The IBO was conducted by the security forces on the reported presence of weapons and ammunition in the area. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a large number of weapons and ammunition were recovered during the search operation.

    According to ISPR recovered weapons and ammunition including submachine guns, light machine guns, RPG-7s, hand grenades, RPG-7 rockets, and hundreds of multiple caliber rounds.

    “Locals of the area appreciated the operation and expressed their full support to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the area,” the ISPR said.