US CENTCOM Chief Lauds Pakistan as Key Ally in Fight Against ISIS, Dismisses Indian Pressure
“Pakistan is a reliable partner in the fight against terror” – General Michael Kurilla
WASHINGTON – U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander General Michael “Erik” Kurilla has praised Pakistan as an “outstanding and reliable partner” in the global fight against terrorism, particularly against ISIS-K, directly countering anti-Pakistan narratives promoted by India.
Speaking during a House Armed Services Committee briefing titled “U.S. Military Strategy and National Security Challenges in the Middle East and Africa,” General Kurilla revealed Pakistan’s critical role in capturing and handing over key ISIS figures, including the prime suspect behind the deadly 2021 Kabul Airport Abbey Gate suicide bombing.
Kurilla disclosed that Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir personally informed him about the arrest of Sharifullah (aka Jaafar), ISIS-K’s key operative linked to the Kabul attack that killed over 170 civilians and 13 U.S. soldiers.
“General Munir called me directly and said, ‘We have captured him. I am ready to hand him over to the U.S. Please inform the Secretary of Defense and President Trump,’” Kurilla told the hearing.
He further noted that Pakistan has transferred at least five senior ISIS-K leaders to the U.S. and eliminated dozens more in independent operations, despite receiving limited intelligence support from Washington.
Kurilla Rejects ‘India-First’ Policy
In a strong diplomatic message, General Kurilla made it clear that the United States cannot afford to strain ties with Pakistan for the sake of India, underlining that Washington’s relationship with Islamabad is based on strategic merit and mutual security interests.
“It’s not a zero-sum game. We need relationships with both Pakistan and India,” he said. “Each relationship should be evaluated on its own strategic value.”
Kurilla’s comments come amid growing efforts by Indian policymakers to isolate Pakistan diplomatically. However, his remarks appear to reaffirm Pakistan’s standing as a cornerstone in the U.S.’s regional security calculus.
Pakistan Paying a Heavy Price in War on Terror
General Kurilla also highlighted the high human cost of Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts. He said Pakistan’s western regions have witnessed over 1,000 terrorist incidents in 2024 alone, killing around 700 security personnel and civilians, and injuring more than 2,500.
Despite these challenges, Kurilla stated, Pakistan has emerged as a dependable ally, maintaining effective pressure on ISIS-K operatives concentrated in its border regions with Afghanistan.
He also linked ISIS-K to recent global terror attacks, including the Moscow concert hall massacre and bombings in Iran’s Kerman city, suggesting broader international threats connected to the group.
Political Fallout in India
General Kurilla’s strong endorsement of Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts has sparked outrage among Indian political circles and social media, with critics labeling it a diplomatic setback.
Indian opposition politician Jairam Ramesh wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“CENTCOM chief just called Pakistan a ‘fantastic partner in counterterrorism.’ What will our Prime Minister and his supporters say now?”
The remarks have intensified debates over India’s regional influence and U.S. strategic alignment in South Asia.
CENTCOM Readiness on Iran
During the same hearing, General Kurilla also confirmed that CENTCOM is fully prepared to respond to Iran’s nuclear ambitions if diplomacy fails. When asked whether the military had plans for an overwhelming response, he replied:
“Yes. I have provided the secretary of defense and the president with a wide range of options.”
His statement came as Iran signaled it would soon present a counterproposal to the U.S. on a potential nuclear deal, while President Trump affirmed that negotiations will continue.
