‘Pakistan has been a phenomenal partner in counter-terrorism:’ CENTCOM chief

Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), General Michael Kurilla praised Pakistan’s cooperation in counterterrorism efforts at a hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) on Tuesday.

General Kurilla stated that US agencies work closely with their Pakistani counterparts to target high-value terrorist operatives, and credited Pakistani intelligence and security forces for playing a crucial role in capturing several key militants.

"Opportunity also exists... where we can expand counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan and other Central Asian partners. The actions of our Pakistani partners [on] Mohammad Sharifullah... highlights Pakistan’s value as a Parter," he said. 

He noted that Pakistan has been conducting a sustained counterterrorism operation over the past year, particularly in the western regions of the country, which have been severely impacted by terr0rist violence.

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According to Kurilla, Pakistan has suffered more than 1,000 terrorist attacks during this period, resulting in the deaths of over 700 law enforcement personnel and 2,500 civilians.

"They (Pakistan) have an active counterterrorism fight right now, & they have been a phenomenal partner in the counterterrorism world."

Kurilla also acknowledged efforts by Afghan authorities in cracking down on terrorist networks. 

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Additionally, he confirmed that Pakistani agencies had recently apprehended at least five high-value terrorists and extradited the individual responsible for the Abbey Gate bombing during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

In a comparison to the relationship with Pakistan and India, two countries perpetually at odds due to allegations of terrorism, he said, "[...] We have to have a relationship with Pakistan & with India. I do not believe it is a binary switch that we can’t have one with Pakistan if we have a relationship with India. We should look at the merits of the relationship for the positives that it has."