The banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has been receiving substantial support from Al Qaeda, along with other militant factions, for carrying out attacks in Pakistan, according to the 33rd report submitted to the United Nations Security Council by the ISIL and Al Qaeda/Taliban Monitoring Team. This collaboration involves not only the provision of arms and equipment but also active on-ground assistance for TTP’s operations against Pakistan, in addition to support from the Afghan Taliban.
Despite the Afghan Taliban’s official stance discouraging TTP’s activities outside Afghanistan, the report highlights that TTP fighters have conducted cross-border attacks in Pakistan without facing significant repercussions. Some Taliban members, motivated by a perceived religious duty, have reportedly joined TTP’s ranks, further strengthening their operations.
Also Read: Heightened Security Measures in DG Khan as TTP Launches New Wing Targeting Punjab Police
The report also notes that TTP members and their families regularly receive aid packages from the Afghan Taliban, indicating a deeper level of support. The Afghan Taliban’s temporary imprisonment of TTP members and their strategic movement northward away from the Afghanistan-Pakistan border regions are seen as efforts to alleviate pressure from Pakistan to address TTP’s activities.
The reported directives from Al Qaeda to allocate resources to the banned TTP suggest a profound collaboration aimed at destabilizing the region. Pakistan has expressed frustration over the Afghan Taliban’s perceived inaction against the outlawed TTP, viewing it as a direct threat to its national security. The situation underscores the complexities and challenges in the region’s security landscape.
