TTP And ISKP – OpEd

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is a militant group, primarily consisting of Pashtun militants from Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Its primary objective is to establish an Islamic state in Pakistan and enforce its version of Sharia law. The group has been responsible for numerous deadly attacks on civilians and security forces, including suicide bombings, assassinations, and kidnappings. The TTP has also targeted religious minorities, particularly Shia community, and attacked girls’ schools and other educational institutions. The TTP has ties to other militant groups in region such as ISKP and Al-Qaeda.

Over the years, Pakistani military has conducted several operations against TTP and other militant groups. These operations have had some success in weakening TTP’s operational capabilities. The TTP has been involved in attacks across the border in Afghanistan, where it has targeted Afghan security forces and government officials. The group has been accused of having ties to Afghan Taliban. In recent years, TTP has suffered from leadership and organizational crises, with several of its top leaders being killed or captured by Pakistani security forces. Despite these setbacks, the group remains active and continues to carry out attacks against Pakistani civilians and security forces. The TTP’s activities are a significant challenge to Pakistan’s stability and security and require ongoing efforts to address.

Likewise, TTP has been collaborating with ISKP to destabilize the region. The TTP has been able to leverage its networks and operational capabilities in Pakistan to support ISKP’s activities in Afghanistan, while ISKP provided TTP with ideological and strategic guidance. The collaboration between TTP and ISKP is part of a broader effort by militant groups in region to forge alliances and work together to challenge existing order. The TTP and ISKP share a similar ideology and worldview, which emphasizes establishment of an Islamic caliphate in region and use of violence to achieve their goals.

The ISKP has been active in Afghanistan since 2015, and it has been able to establish a foothold in several provinces, particularly in east and north of country. The group has been responsible for numerous attacks and it has been able to attract recruits from among disaffected Taliban fighters and other militants. The TTP has been able to provide ISKP with logistical and operational support, including safe havens, weapons, and training facilities in Pakistan. The TTP has been able to facilitate movement of ISKP fighters across Pak-Afghan border, allowing them to carry out attacks in Afghanistan and then retreat to Pakistan. In return, ISKP has been able to provide TTP with ideological and strategic guidance, helping the group to reorganize and restructure its operations. ISKP has been able to provide TTP with a new source of inspiration and motivation, helping the group to attract new recruits and expand its reach.

The collaboration between TTP and ISKP has further complicated security situation in region, making it more challenging for governments to address the threat posed by militant groups. The TTP and ISKP remain a significant threat to regional stability and require ongoing efforts to counter their activities. Since these groups have posed greater threat to regional stability. This issue requires more global as well as regional collaboration. The withdrawal of US/ NATO forces from Afghanistan left the region more vulnerable. To end the menace of terrorism and extremism, US and other leader global players must work with Pakistan for regional stability. Pakistan has suffered immensely due to attacks of TTP. Still, it is fighting with the group and instead destroyed group’s presence in its border areas with Afghanistan.

The US has also been involved in counterterrorism efforts in the region for many years, and Pakistan has been a key partner in these efforts. In recent years, there have been efforts to further improve cooperation between the US and Pakistan in the fight against terrorism. Recently, both countries discussed ways to enhance cooperation against terrorist groups, including TTP and ISKP. It is important for both countries to work together to combat terrorism, as these groups pose a threat to global security.

Fighting against terrorist organizations like TTP and ISKP is in common interest of both Pakistan and US. These groups have been responsible for numerous attacks in the region and have caused significant harm to civilians and security forces alike. Pakistan has been a target of terrorist attacks carried out by these groups for many years, and has suffered greatly from the violence and instability they have caused. The US has been affected by actions of these groups, particularly in context of war in Afghanistan.

Efforts to combat these groups have been ongoing, and both countries have taken steps to address the issue. Pakistan has conducted military operations against TTP and other terrorist groups, while US has carried out drone strikes against militant targets in Afghanistan. There have been efforts to improve cooperation between Pakistan and US in fight against terrorism, including through sharing of intelligence and joint military exercises. While there have been differences in approach and priorities, there is broad agreement that combating terrorist groups like TTP and ISKP is in common interest of both Pakistan and US in general and region in particular.