Pakistan’s top military commander stresses agility in modern warfare during visit to frontline garrisons

Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir observes warefare prepardness at Gujranwala and Sialkot Garrisons on December 13, 2025. (ISPR)
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Updated 13 December 2025
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Pakistan’s top military commander stresses agility in modern warfare during visit to frontline garrisons

  • Field Marshal Asim Munir reviews field drills and simulator training in Gujranwala and Sialkot, praising high readiness levels
  • ISPR video shows the field marshal observing tank and drone maneuvers as he warns of hybrid and extremist threats to stability

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir said on Saturday modern warfare requires agility, precision and situational awareness as he visited the Gujranwala and Sialkot Garrisons, where he interacted with officers and soldiers and observed their combat readiness.

The two cities sit close to the border with India, giving them strategic importance, particularly after a brief but intense military clash between the nuclear-armed rivals in May.

The conflict was sparked when India launched missile strikes on Pakistani cities, saying it was targeting “terror infrastructure” after blaming Islamabad for a gun attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, though Pakistan had denied involvement and demanded an impartial international probe.

Both sides exchanged missiles and artillery fire and deployed fighter aircraft and drones during four days of hostilities before a US-brokered ceasefire halted the escalation.

“The Field Marshal witnessed field training exercise and advanced simulator training facility, lauding the formation’s high professional standards and overall state of readiness,” the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement.

“Emphasizing the significance of technological adaptability, he noted that modern warfare demands agility, precision, situational awareness and swift decision-making,” it added.

A video released by ISPR showed Munir watching a military demonstration involving tanks and drones.

During his interaction with troops, Munir praised their morale and commitment to national defense.

He said the Pakistan Army remained fully focused on internal and external challenges, including “hostile hybrid campaigns, extremist ideologies, and divisive elements seeking to undermine national stability.”


Daesh media chief for ISKP in Pakistan’s custody — state media

Updated 16 min 44 sec ago
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Daesh media chief for ISKP in Pakistan’s custody — state media

  • Sultan Aziz Azzam, a senior member of ISKP, used to head its Al Azzam media outlet, says state media
  • Azzam was arrested in May while attempting to cross into Pakistan from Afghanistan, says state media

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities have taken into custody Sultan Aziz Azzam, the head of Daesh regional affiliate ISKP’s media outlet, state media reported on Thursday citing intelligence sources. 

The state-run Pakistan TV Digital reported that Azzam was a senior member of ISKP and hailed from Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province. As per the state media report, he is also a graduate of the University of Nangarhar where he studied Islamic jurisprudence. 

Pakistan TV Digital reported Azzam joined ISKP in 2016 and later became a prominent member of its leadership council.

“He was arrested in May 2025 while attempting to cross from Afghanistan into Pakistan,” Pakistan TV Digital reported, citing intelligence sources. 

“He is believed to have overseen media operations and headed ISKP’s Al Azzam media outlet.”

In November 2021, Washington listed Azzam as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” (SDGT). The move bars American citizens from engaging in transactions with persons designated as SDGTs. 

According to a report on the UN Security Council’s website, Azzam has played an “instrumental role” in spreading Daesh’s violent ideology, glorifying and justifying “terrorist acts.” 

“Building on his former experience as an Afghan journalist, his activity as ISIL-K’s spokesperson has increased ISIL-K’s visibility and influence among its followers,” the report states. 

The report further states Azzam claimed responsibility on behalf of Daesh for the suicide attack near Hamid Karzai International Airport on Aug. 26, 2021, which killed at least 170 Afghans and 13 US service members and injured 150 more. 

The development takes place amid tense relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with Islamabad alleging militants use Afghan soil to carry out attacks against Pakistan. Kabul denies the allegations.

Tensions surged in October when Pakistan and Afghanistan engaged in fierce border clashes, claiming to have killed dozens of soldiers of the other side.

Pakistan has urged the Afghan Taliban-led government to take “decisive action” against militants it says operate from its soil. Afghanistan says it cannot be held responsible for Pakistan’s security challenges.