Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry briefs media in Rawalpindi amid heightened Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions and reports surrounding an alleged encounter in IIOJK.
Web Desk: Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry is addressing a press conference in Rawalpindi on Thursday amid heightened security concerns and developments along Pakistan’s western border.
The briefing comes after Pakistan reported carrying out aerial strikes against militant hideouts in Afghanistan. Geo News described the press conference as a developing story, with further details being added as the briefing continued.
Briefing comes amid regional security tensions
The press conference is taking place against the backdrop of intensified counterterrorism operations and heightened tensions involving militant activity along Pakistan’s western border.
Earlier on Thursday, reports said Pakistan had conducted strikes against alleged militant positions in Afghanistan. The Tribune reported that initial Pakistani assessments indicated 22 militants had been killed, while describing the figures as part of the ongoing security developments.
The latest briefing is therefore being closely followed for details on Pakistan’s assessment of the security situation, counterterrorism operations and developments involving Afghanistan.
ISPR addresses reports concerning alleged encounter
Another major issue raised during the briefing concerns reports from Indian media about the alleged killing of a Pakistani former soldier in an encounter in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Indian media reports identified the individual as Mohammad Asif, also referred to as Hashim Moosa, and alleged that he was linked to the April 2025 Pahalgam attack and had previously served in the Pakistan Army.
During the press conference, Lt Gen Chaudhry presented retired Pakistan Army Havildar Muhammad Asif before journalists. Business Recorder also reported that the individual identified in the Indian reports appeared at the briefing.
Dawn reported that the ISPR chief described the incident as another alleged “false-flag” operation by India. That characterization is the Pakistani military’s position and remains a disputed claim.
Indian media reports disputed by Pakistan
According to reports carried by The News and Business Recorder, Indian media had reported that an individual allegedly wanted in connection with the Pahalgam attack was killed during an encounter in the Korag area of IIOJK.
The reports attributed detailed biographical information to the alleged individual, including claims that he had served in the Pakistan Army and later retired as a havildar.
The appearance of Muhammad Asif at the ISPR briefing directly contradicted the reported claim that the former soldier had been killed. However, claims concerning the broader circumstances of the alleged encounter should be treated separately from the confirmed fact that a person identified by ISPR as Asif appeared before the media.
Security situation remains developing
The briefing follows a period of heightened security activity in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, as well as increased tensions along the Afghanistan border.
The Tribune reported that the military had recently conducted counterterrorism operations and that Pakistan had also responded to militant threats originating from across the Afghan border.
Further details from Lt Gen Chaudhry’s briefing are expected to clarify Pakistan’s position on the latest security developments, cross-border militant activity and the disputed reports concerning the former Pakistani soldier.
