Afghan Taliban-TTP

Newly empowered and emboldened, the TTP dreams of following in the Afghan Taliban’s footsteps by carving out its own emirate – this time on Pakistani soil.

To address its terrorism concerns, Pakistan is simultaneously pursuing diplomacy with the Taliban government in Afghanistan and cross-border attacks.

It’s hard to imagine that cross-border airstrikes will serve the desired goal of ending the rising level of violence and lawlessness in the areas of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan. 

The two South Asian jihadist groups, both prominent in their extremist ideologies and territorial ambitions, have increasingly found themselves at odds.

A spokesperson for Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense said, “Blaming Afghanistan for such incidents is a failed attempt to divert attention from the truth of the matter and we strongly reject it.”

One reason driving Islamabad’s renewed efforts in Afghanistan may be India’s continuing moves to expand its dealings with the Taliban.

The Taliban have proved unresponsive to Pakistan's security concerns, resulting in mounting tensions between the two.

Angry with the Taliban regime for not helping it against the TTP, the Pakistani government is lashing out at Afghan refugees.

Islamabad wants Kabul to take actual action against the TTP, and is using Afghan refugees as a bargaining chip. 

The country celebrated the Taliban’s return to power on August 15, 2021. Two years later, has it seen any benefits?

Why would the TTP, which was rejuvenated by the Taliban victory in Afghanistan, subsume itself into a group that is ideologically and operationally weaker?

At first, a Taliban victory in Afghanistan was considered synonymous with Pakistan’s victory. But disappointed hopes on both sides now have the neighbors at loggerheads.

A consistent, albeit limited-scale, counterterrorism cooperation between the two countries is being put in place.

If Kabul is able to get the TTP to call off its spring offensive, Islamabad would respond with deals on travel and trade.

Data on the number and location of terrorist attacks in Pakistan show a concentration near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

Yes, the Afghan Taliban’s victory emboldened the TTP. But Islamabad also missed its chance to deal the group a decisive blow.

The circumstances are dangerously ripe for a destabilizing element to shift the strategic balance in South Asia, with global consequences. 

The TTP has called for attacks on Pakistani leaders while the Taliban in Kabul push back against Pakistani accusations of Afghanistan harboring terrorists. 

The shelling has come at a time of mounting bilateral tensions over Pakistani border posts and Taliban sheltering anti-Pakistan militants.

The death of Abdul Wali, also widely known as Omar Khalid Khurasani, deals a heavy blow to the Pakistani Taliban.

With the TTP’s history of failed agreements and its demand to establish exclusive control over the former FATA, why is Pakistan so keen on talks?

Pakistan’s government is talking with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), sparking fears about what the state is prepared to negotiate away.

Worryingly, the Pakistan government is engaging the militant group in talks from a position of weakness.

The Afghan Taliban prefer to broker peace rather than crack the whip on the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.