In a testimony before the US House Armed Services Committee, General Michael Kurilla, commander of US Central Command (Centcom), described Pakistan as a “phenomenal partner” in counterterrorism, specifically citing Islamabad’s cooperation in capturing ISIS-Khorasan operatives. His remarks come amid high Indo-Pak tensions following India’s retaliatory strikes during Operation Sindoor after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians.
Kurilla praised the Pakistani military's efforts under Army Chief General Asim Munir for executing dozens of operations near the Afghanistan border, stating that five high-value ISIS-K suspects were captured with US intelligence input. Among them was Sharifullah alias Jafar, linked to the 2021 Kabul airport bombing. Kurilla recounted that Munir directly informed him of the arrest and even offered extradition to the US.
Kurilla urged that the US maintain relationships with both India and Pakistan, stressing that South Asia should not be seen through a zero-sum lens. However, his comments have sparked discomfort in New Delhi, which continues its aggressive diplomatic push to isolate Pakistan globally. India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterated India’s zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, warning of retaliation if future attacks originate from Pakistani soil.
India has firmly rejected US claims of brokering a ceasefire with Pakistan and is leading a global campaign to expose Islamabad’s alleged state-backed terrorism. Jaishankar, referencing Osama bin Laden's presence in Abbottabad, emphasized that terrorism nurtured in Pakistan isn’t just India’s problem, but a global threat. As Washington balances relations in South Asia, Kurilla’s endorsement of Pakistan's counterterrorism credentials highlights the growing complexity of regional geopolitics especially as India escalates its stance against cross-border terror.
