Uneasy Neighbors: The Taliban, TTP, and a Tangled Web of Violence
A group of Taliban fighters in central Kabul in 2023 during their second victory anniversary. Photo by @AADIL for ADN
By Ilhamuddin Afghan
Few days ago, when a police station in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was attacked, resulting in casualties, the Pakistan Army promptly blamed Afghanistan for the incident.
According to a statement from the Pakistani army, the attack was carried out by an armed group named Hafiz Gul Bahadur, which is reportedly active in Afghanistan and utilizing Afghan territory against Pakistan.
The statement, shared by prominent journalists, indicated that the Pakistani army has repeatedly warned the Afghan government to prevent destructive actions against Pakistan originating from its territory. Despite these warnings, the attacks have not ceased. Pakistani army officials asserted their intent to take any necessary action to defend Pakistan.
On July 7th, some media outlets reported statements from Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) officials claiming that “in the last six months, we have attacked 497 Pakistani soldiers.” These attacks reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 500 Pakistani soldiers and injuries to more than 600 others.
Analysts suggest that the Taliban’s relationship with TTP is driven by two primary constraints. First, TTP supported the Afghan Taliban in their fight against the United States and NATO forces, pledging allegiance to the Taliban’s leadership. Second, in the event of the Taliban’s potential downfall, TTP could become a fallback option for support. This symbiotic relationship underscores the strategic interdependence between the two groups.
“Both groups have agendas. If the goal and agenda of the Afghan Taliban was the withdrawal of NATO and American forces from Afghanistan, then for the TTP, it is the fight against the Pakistani army.” Mohammad Ayaz, a university professor currently living outside of Afghanistan said.
Former Pakistani Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, now an advisor to the Prime Minister, recently told Geo News, that “The Afghan Taliban must remain loyal to their commitments to the international community, which includes not using Afghan soil against anyone. They should honor their promises.”
On the other hand, some former Afghan politicians are skeptical of Pakistan’s actions. Amrullah Saleh, the former vice president of the deposed Afghan government, stated that Pakistan is not a victim of TTP attacks but has created the group themselves.
According to a report by the BBC, between 5,000 and 6,000 TTP members have taken refuge in Afghanistan, with their family members totalling 70,000, making it difficult for the Afghan Taliban to manage such a large number of people.
The ruling Taliban in Afghanistan have repeatedly denied the presence of foreign militants in Afghanistan and asserted that they do not allow anyone to use Afghan territory to launch attacks outside the country.
Many TTP members had been imprisoned by the previous republican government. Additionally, the Afghan Taliban mediated between the TTP and the Pakistani government, proving that the TTP is under their influence and can comply with their directives.
Mohammad Wais, a resident of a remote area in Nangarhar, provides a ground-level perspective: “The Taliban are walking around our areas with weapons in broad daylight, asking for help from the people. Announcements for help are made openly in mosques, and aid is collected there.”
This complex and evolving situation highlights the intricate dynamics between the Taliban and TTP. And as the attacks rise and allegations fly, the fate of harmony and dependability in the area stays questionable.
Ilhamuddin Afghan is a university professor based in Afghanistan.
Note: The contents of the article are of sole responsibility of the author. Afghan Diaspora Network will not be responsible for any inaccurate or incorrect statement in the articles.
