CENTCOM Chief Acknowledges Pakistan’s Crucial Support
In a significant acknowledgment of regional cooperation, U.S. CENTCOM Commander General Michael Kurilla hailed Pakistan as a phenomenal partner in the global fight against ISIS-K. Speaking before the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) on Tuesday, Gen. Kurilla credited Pakistan with playing a vital role in suppressing the terrorist group’s growing ambitions.
During an exchange with Congressman Marcus Luttrell, Gen. Kurilla emphasized that ISIS-K remains one of the most dangerous terrorist organizations today. He warned that the group continues to pursue global reach, including threats against the U.S. homeland.
He added that Taliban pressure in Afghanistan had forced many ISIS-K militants into the border areas of Pakistan. However, U.S.-Pakistan intelligence cooperation has yielded real and measurable outcomes.
High-Value Targets Captured
Gen. Kurilla provided specific examples of successful operations enabled by this cooperation. “Through a phenomenal partnership with Pakistan… we have gone after ISIS-Khorasan, killing dozens,” he stated. He noted that Pakistani forces had captured at least five high-value ISIS-K individuals with direct intelligence support from the U.S.
One of the most notable arrests involved Jafar, a key figure in the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul that killed 13 U.S. troops. According to Gen. Kurilla, Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir personally informed him of the arrest and immediately offered extradition.
“The first person Field Marshal Asim Munir called was me,” Kurilla revealed. “He said, ‘I’ve caught him, ready to extradite him back to the United States. Please inform the Secretary of Defense and the President.’”
Additionally, Gen. Kurilla highlighted ISIS-K’s links to major international attacks, including those in Russia and Iran. He said details of plots targeting the U.S. would be shared in a classified briefing.
Pakistan’s Heavy Toll in the Fight
Despite its success, Pakistan continues to pay a heavy price in its counterterrorism campaign. Since early 2024, over 1,000 terrorist attacks have struck Pakistan’s western regions. These attacks have martyred nearly 700 security personnel and killed more than 2,500 civilians.
In conclusion, General Kurilla reaffirmed Pakistan’s role as a phenomenal partner in a critical and ongoing fight. His remarks solidify Pakistan’s position as a frontline state in the war against terrorism, proving once again that effective partnerships matter in securing global peace.
Also See : Field Marshal Munir Congratulated by PTI, Urges Stability
