TTP regrouping?
The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is claiming that the Jamaatul Ahrar and Hizbul Ahrar have pledged allegiance to it. This is a worrying development. Even though the TTP and others had been beaten back across the Afghan border, an increase in available fighters can only be seen as a bad sign. Keep in mind that a recent UN report had also estimated that there are around 6,000 Pakistani-origin militants in Afghanistan, most of whom are affiliated with groups that actively plot attacks in Pakistan. While that number was already concerning, the fact that they are uniting under a single banner opens the doors for more comprehensive attack strategies. Then there is the fact that the current TTP chief is a former Afghan Taliban member, meaning that he may well be able to enhance his group’s size by recruiting Afghan fighters who oppose the peace talks in Afghanistan.
Our citizens deserve to live free of terror. Unfortunately, the Afghan government has repeatedly shown an unwillingness to help address the situation. In fact, there have been several instances where attacks in Pakistan were traceable to current or former Afghan intelligence officials. There have also been instances where senior Afghan officials publicly expressed joy at such attacks, or at the bare minimum, refused to condemn them. There could be two reasons for this, and neither of them is good. The first is that elements within the Afghan government and Indian intelligence are still actively collaborating with the TTP and others. The other is that the Ghani government is so inept that it cannot establish its writ over its territory and stop terrorists attacking its own people. Given that the second option is a proven fact, we know our concern is not misplaced.
Even at the peak of terrorist activity in the country, there was no real fear that our military could not snuff them out. The debate was always over the human cost. We paid with blood, and after winning, we thought that chapter was closed. Unfortunately, the Afghan government appears adamant about exporting the misery of its own populace.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 20th, 2020.
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