[en] We demonstrate a gain-switched ${\text{Cr}}^{2+}:\text{ZnSe}$ laser pumped by a high energy Ho : YAG laser. The maximum output power of $5.5\text{W}$ in the spectrum range from $2450\text{nm}$ to $2570\text{nm}$ is obtained at a pulse repetition rate of $2\text{kHz}$, corresponding to a pulse energy of $2.75\text{mJ}$. With a volume Bragg grating (VBG) for compressing the linewidth, a $2.4\text{W}$ output power with a narrow linewidth $(<1\text{nm})$ is obtained at $2570.5\text{nm}$. The pulse shapes obtained at different pump energies are also studied and analysed. A minimum pulse width of $\sim <!--\; ???\; -->28.5\text{ns}$ is achieved at a pump energy of $14.6\text{mJ}$, corresponding to a peak power of $\sim <!--\; ???\; -->96.5\text{kW}$. (paper)