The proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has emerged as the largest terrorist group in Afghanistan, according to a United Nations monitoring report cited by Dawn. The report reveals that the TTP, with an estimated strength of 6,000 to 6,500 fighters, enjoys operational and logistical support from both the Afghan Taliban and factions of the Al Qaeda terrorist network. It is now the largest among the two dozen or so terrorist groups operating freely under the Taliban regime. The report, submitted to the UN Security Council, highlights the close ties between the Taliban and the TTP, stating that the Taliban do not consider the TTP a terrorist group and owe them a significant debt. This underscores Islamabad’s concerns about Kabul’s reluctance to take action against terrorist groups targeting Pakistan, a position repeatedly asserted by officials like Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The report emphasizes the TTP’s active presence in Afghanistan and their frequent terrorist activities carried out against Pakistan from there. It highlights the increasing involvement of Afghan nationals in these attacks, with the number of TTP attacks against Pakistan significantly escalating from 573 in 2021 to 715 in 2022 and 1,210 in 2023, continuing into 2024. This corroborates Pakistan’s concerns regarding Afghan involvement in recent terrorist incidents, including the Bisham bombing that tragically killed five Chinese engineers and their Pakistani driver. The report specifically references this event. Further fueling Pakistan’s anxieties, the report reveals that the TTP has received sophisticated NATO-grade weaponry, including night vision capabilities, since the Taliban assumed control, significantly intensifying the threat posed by terrorist attacks on Pakistani border installations. The report expresses doubts about the Afghan Taliban’s commitment to curbing the TTP threat to Pakistan, citing historical ties between the two groups. It highlights the Taliban’s sporadic support and tolerance of TTP activities, including weapons supply and training support from Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). The report states that AQIS assists the TTP in conducting terrorist attacks inside Pakistan, with Tehreek-i Jihad Pakistan (TJP) claiming responsibility to relieve pressure on the de facto Afghan authorities. Notably, in September 2023, the largest TTP attack of the year involved Afghan fighters supporting the TTP against Pakistani military posts in Chitral, with significant assistance from Al Qaeda. The report notes Al Qaeda’s presence across Afghan provinces, mainly in the southeast, focusing on training local and TTP fighters. This support includes Afghan fighters and training camps for TTP operations. Regarding IS-K, the report highlights the group’s recent expansion and attacks, noting its estimated 4,000 to 6,000 fighters. IS-K has infiltrated Afghan ministries and seeks to embed members in groups like the TTP. Kabul’s operations against IS-K have pushed key personnel across borders, posing security concerns for Pakistan, Iran, and Central Asia. Due to high attrition rates, IS-K has reduced its presence in Afghanistan and increased external operations, focusing on skilled operatives and suicide attacks in Europe, Russia, and neighboring countries. The report underscores deficiencies in Taliban counter-terrorism capabilities against such threats.
TTP Now Largest Terrorist Group in Afghanistan, Posing Growing Threat to Pakistan: UN Report
