Dr Muhammad Khan
In the last few months, there have been repeated terrorist attacks in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). These terrorism hit areas are located near Pakistan Afghanistan border (the former FATA region) and the militants have infiltrated from Afghan soil into Pakistani territory. These well trained militants killed and injured dozens of security forces men and officers while alarming the local population for a possible return of militancy. From the pattern of their attacks, it is established that they are well conversant with ground and weather of the areas they attacked. Besides, they exactly knew the pattern of troop’s movement (patrolling activities) which mean they have carried out reconnaissance of the area for days with modern surveillance devices. Besides, they have modern and sophisticated weapon system with accuracy and surety to engage the target(s). Indeed, these militants are part of those terrorists’ outfits who escaped to Afghanistan during military operation in various agencies of former FATA.
The United Nations has once again alerted Pakistan that, a combination of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA), operating from Afghanistan has surged militancy in Pakistan. Indeed, the enduring volatility and chaos in Afghanistan has made its soil as an attractive place for various international spying networks which train, finance, arm and launch these militants in the neighbouring countries. As per United Nations report Pakistan has been the most favourite place for unleashing terrorism by these spying networks while making use of TTP and JuA. Most of the militants of TTP fled the country during military operations by Pakistani security forces 2010 to 2016. They were housed by Kabul regime under the patronage of NDS and RAW for re-launching into Pakistan as and when required.
As per Foreign Office of Pakistan, the UN Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Report on terrorism had vindicated its stance “that the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operating from Afghanistan and supported by India threatened regional countries, including Pakistan.” As per estimates of United Nations there are still 6,000 to 6,500 militants of TTP and JuA at various bases in Afghanistan, ready to be launched against the vital military related targets inside Pakistan. UN report says, “A large terrorist group present in Afghanistan”. These militants are led by Amir Noor Wali Mehsudwho is assisted by his deputy Qari Amjad with Mohammad Khorasani as the spokesperson of the this terrorist outfit, TTP. These two groups along with their offshoots like Laskhar-i-Islam are responsible for undertaking various high-profile attacks all over Pakistan in past years. Currently, these groups are reorganizing again along the Pak-Afghan border to cause terrorism in former FATA region. It is worth mentioning that under the patronage of NDS and RAW and many other international spying networks, a large number of TTP militants have joined the ranks of infamous terrorist organization, Daesh also called, Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K).
Under the backing of its masterminds, the Daeshis pursuing a global agenda which runs counter to Islam while benefits those pursuing the global hegemony. For the past one decade, Middle East has been the epicentre of this outfit (Daesh) while its branch was raised in Afghanistan with the name of Daesh (Khorasan). Both regions were invaded by the foreign invading forces, under whose sponsorship ISIS took birth and spread around with modern and most sophisticated weaponry and protective arrangements. Indeed, through their acts of terrorism, they provide a cause for their creators’ (the master minds) to take military actions against the designated areas and states for establishing their hegemony. Both Middle East and Afghanistan are strategic locations for furthering the agendas of these global hegemons.
Apart from KP, there is a parallel resurgence of militancy in various parts of Balochistan. The sub-nationalist outfit, Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is claiming most of these terrorists act against security forces. Through consolidation of various reports of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) it is revealed that, in last few months over 20 soldiers and officers embraced Shaahdat in various parts of Balochistan province at the hands BLA terrorists. These ambushes mainly took place in areas like; Gichak valley in the Panjgur district, Turbat and other remote areas of Balochistan. Besides Balochistan province, the BLA terrorists attacked Karachi Stock Exchange in late June 2020.
From the pattern of militancy in rural areas Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, there are clear signals of a resurgence of militancy and terrorism in Pakistan. This all is being done as part of international conspiracies against the state of Pakistan. The armed forces for Pakistan defeated the first phase of this global conspiracy with lot of dedication and sacrifices while there was a political stability and economic comfort in Pakistan. Today, the economy of Pakistan is extremely weak with negative GDP growth rate and there exists a wider political polarization. Besides, there are more socio-economic vulnerabilities in Pakistan than ever before. The situation warrants for a critical re-rethinking and debate in Parliament and at the level of strategic institutions on the issue of national security. Any laxity and negligence in critical evaluation of the emerging situation with concrete counter measures may lead towards a serious national crisis.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
