 "Security personnel stand beside a poster of Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir in Islamabad. File image/AFP")
Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir held an emergency high-level meeting at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Monday night following coordinated attacks by Afghan Taliban fighters on Pakistani military posts along the Durand Line, CNN-News18 reported citing intelligence sources.
In the meeting, Munir rebuked top Pakistani generals over the Afghan Taliban attacks and seek ‘intel.
Munir’s sharp criticism over intelligence failures
According to the report, Munir sharply criticised his top commanders over what he described as a major “intelligence failure” and a “lack of strategic depth” on Pakistan’s western frontier. He reportedly questioned each officer about the absence of advance intelligence and why there was no immediate military backup to launch a counter-offensive.
“Where was advance intel? What is the reason behind this intelligence failure?” Munir is said to have asked, demanding explanations for the lack of contingency planning and an effective operational response to the Taliban assault.
Orders for reports and heightened vigilance
According to the report, Munir instructed all senior commanders to submit a detailed report within seven days to the Chief of General Staff’s office, identifying lapses and corrective measures. He also ordered heightened vigilance across all sectors and “extra measures on all fronts to avoid any further damage.”
Munir reminded his commanders that “Pakistan is at war,” both internally and externally, and urged the Army to transform the country into a “hard state” in its fight against terrorism. “How long will we continue as a soft state while sacrificing countless young soldiers and civilians? It’s time to act,” he reportedly told the gathering.
Taliban attacks expose gaps
According to top intelligence sources, the Taliban launched heavy artillery fire from seven fronts — Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral, Waziristan, Bahram Chah, and Chaman — catching Pakistani forces off guard. The attacks, described as unprovoked and highly coordinated, exposed major gaps in intelligence and border readiness.
Field Marshal Munir ended the meeting with a firm directive to the security establishment: regain control, strengthen strategic foresight, and prevent any repeat of such failures.