As a result of two terrorist attacks of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Chitral four Pakistani soldiers embraced Shahdathwhile twelve terrorists were killed on September 6/7, 2023. Planning an execution of these terrorist attacks was done from across the Pak-border; Kunar and Nuristan provinces of Afghanistan. As per statement issued by ISPR; a large group of “terrorists equipped with the latest weapons” attacked two military checkposts in Chitral district resulting in an “intense exchange of fire”. Since the troops deployed on Pak-Afghan border were on high alert, therefore, attacks of TTP terrorists were repulsed. Nevertheless, this attack was unusual from three perspectives: a) Chitral remained peaceful throughout the global war against from 2001-2021 except few terrorist acts, b) modern war munitions were used by TTP terrorists during this attack which were not used in earlier attacks elsewhere and c) TTP has chosen Chitral as a strategic position to harm Pakistan.
Indeed, the more worrisome aspect is the statement issued by Muhammad Khurasani that, “thousands of our mujahideen have already established centres on the land of Chitral.” Though intelligence sources of Pakistan are assessing this statement for its varsity, nevertheless troops are already deployed to guard the Pak-Afghan border. There cannot be easy access for the militants to concentrate in Chitral where aliens and terrorists can find hospitable environment for carrying out terrorist attacks. During year 2023, over 300 terrorist attacks of varying intensity have were launched by TTP and its splinter groups including elements of Daesh (IS) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. Pakistan has repeatedly asked Taliban Government of Afghanistan for stoppage of terrorism into Pakistan from Afghan soil. Besides, there were simultaneous attacks in North Waziristan area of former FATA which martyred some Pakistani soldiers and killed terrorists of TTP.
Compared to other parts of KP province, terrorist attack in Chitralis a new and very unusual activity which indicates that; “terrorists are feeling confident enough to extend their area of activity, which should set off alarm bells”. It means extending the areas of TTP attacks in a wider zone to dissipate the troops and resources, making it difficult for the security forces to guard entire Pak-Afghan border spanning over 2600 kms. Indeed, new strategies are being used against Pakistan both in term of modes of attacks as well as the weaponry being used in these attacks. Such strategies have enhanced the scare of militants in entire areas along Pak-Afghan border as well as in major cities of KP and Balochistan.
It is to be noted that, among entire region, Pakistan is the only country whose security situation has deteriorated after take-over of Afghanistan by Taliban in August 2021. This is despite the fact that, Taliban take-over of Afghanistan was made possible because of hectic Pakistani efforts. It was Pakistan which brokered the negotiations between Taliban and United States on the request of former US President Donald Trump. Indeed, grounds were prepared for Taliban by US for take over and gain control over entire country. Indeed, Taliban Regime has full backing of the Washington, despite it is not yet recognized by any state. This also means that US is tracking its strategic objectives within and in the neighbourhood of Afghanistan while using Taliban as a covert tool. Owing to its traditional intimacy, religious affinity, Pakistan provided all needed logistic support to Taliban regime in Afghanistan. However, attitude of the Taliban regime has been mostly arrogant and dictating towards the state and the Government of Pakistan. In late 2021 and early 2022, the Taliban soldiers, guarding the Afghan border repeatedly disrupted the process of security fencing, undertaken by Pak Army. Taliban soldiers removed the fence from a sizable portion, of Pak-Afghan border. Indeed, there is a larger perspective of these attacks from across the Pak-Afghan border. Indeed, Islamabad could not assess reality of the agreement between US Government and Afghan Taliban which is proving as trap. U.S has all the plans to use terrorist outfits in Afghanistan against Pakistan and China in the long-term. For a country like Pakistan, there are long-term strategic and economic implications which are getting more pronounced with each passing day. The damage being caused by TTP and other terrorist elements from Afghan soil was so pronounced during earlier regimes in Kabul. Such types of reactions speaks of an offensive gestures from Taliban and direct threat from a group which neither has neither international recognition nor ability to survive independently for a long. Such aggression and militancy was not seen by legal and elected Governments of Hamid Karazai and AsharifGhani. Rather, despite presence of TTP elements in Afghanistan under NDS, there were very few attacks on Pakistani border posts from 2016 to 2021 which have intensified after August 2021.
These attacks and huge human losses of the trained soldiers and officers must not be viewed in isolation but have a larger and strategic perspective where the planner and benefactor may be a third party ; an extra-regional power having strategic interests in the region. These external forces are weakening Pakistan by; creating social and domestic unrest, creating political chaos, defaming military and premium intelligence (ISI), promoting sub nationalism and religious groupings. Chitral attacks must be analyzed from various angles with an immediate reaction. Besides, Taliban Government in Afghanistan is a double weapon for Pakistan and regional states of South and Central Asia. Owing to intensification of terrorists’ attacks all along Pak-Afghan borders, Pakistan must reassess the threat perception for a befitting and long-term strategic response. The strategic planners must revisit their old notes and plan to secure the strategic, social and economic interests of Pakistan against the rising security threats.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
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