US-Pak Anti-Terror Pact: Pakistan Lauded for Killing ISIS-K Militants, India Stunned

Washington: Outgoing US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Gen. Michael Kurilla has sparked debate with his comments emphasizing the need for Washington to maintain strategic relationships with both India and Pakistan, citing Islamabad’s “phenomenal partnership” in combating ISIS-Khorasan.

Kurilla praised the Pakistani military and Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir for their crucial role in targeting the regional Islamic State affiliate, ISIS-K, which has emerged as a major threat in Afghanistan and along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. He noted that Pakistan, with limited US intelligence assistance, had neutralized dozens of ISIS-K operatives and captured at least five high-value targets this year.

“Pakistan has been a phenomenal counter-terrorism partner,” Kurilla said, adding that Islamabad has faced nearly 1,000 terror attacks in 2024 alone, killing over 700 security personnel and 2,500 civilians. He also revealed that Pakistan had extradited a key figure behind the 2021 Kabul airport bombing that killed 13 US troops.

Kurilla told a congressional panel, “This is why we must continue our relationships with both India and Pakistan. It’s not binary. We need both.” His remarks come at a sensitive time, as India has been calling out Pakistan for its alleged support of cross-border terrorism, especially after the deadly Pahalgam attack in April.

India’s retaliatory strikes under ‘Operation Sindoor’ on May 7, and subsequent skirmishes, escalated tensions until a mutual ceasefire was reached on May 10. Indian leaders, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, have criticized the tendency of some international actors to club India and Pakistan together, especially in the wake of recent hostilities.

There has been no official response yet from Indian authorities regarding Kurilla’s comments.

While CENTCOM handles US military interests in Pakistan and Afghanistan, India’s military ties fall under the Hawaii-based Indo-Pacific Command—highlighting the distinctly different security relationships Washington maintains with the two South Asian powers.

Kurilla warned that ISIS-K remains one of the most active global terror threats, including to the US homeland, and suggested Pakistan’s role in fighting the group will become increasingly critical as the Taliban struggles with growing internal unrest.