Pakistan faced a prolonged threat of terrorism which was met by the great sacrifices of the nation and Pakistan Army. Country fought a long war against terrorism after the historical event of 9/11. The war on terror which was started from that point ended after two decades when the United States stepped back from Afghanistan. This was the time when the US claimed that it has succeeded in eradicating the roots of terrorism. The celebrations were also witnessed in Pakistan as Pakistan Army through its various operations had succeeded in complete eradication of the terrorism. But, just after a year, terrorists started their activities again and resulted into a number of terror incidents in Pakistan. Slowly and steadily the banned outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) started posing serious threats to Pakistan.
The rising number of terror incidents has put the security apparatus in the country on alert as the Bannu hostage crisis sent shockwaves across the country. Over 120 policemen were martyred and over 125 others were wounded in different kinds of attacks on the police force in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the current year. The incidents of terrorism are being reported again in the country same like they were being reported on daily basis when terrorism was on its peak.
TTP is currently having strong footings in Afghanistan due to the support of Taliban government in the war torn country. Staying in neighborhood TTP is in a good position to carry on its activities of terrorism in Pakistan. During past few weeks couple of terror incidents have been taken place in Pakistan. TTP proudly takes the responsibility of terror activities in Pakistan. The dream of complete peace in the country has been put at stake once again due to the threat of TTP. The law enforcement authorities are activating themselves again to meet the challenge posed by TTP.
For Pakistan, TTP is its redline. The government has categorically told the government of Taliban in Afghanistan that Pakistan will not leave any stone unturned to give tough time to TTP. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Thursday said the Afghan Taliban have been told that the banned TTP is Pakistan’s redline and Islamabad’s relationship with Kabul will be affected if the terrorist outfit is not controlled. Expressing his concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the country due to rising TTP attacks from Afghan soil, Bilawal said if the Taliban carry out operations against the extremists, Pakistan will provide help if needed.
The withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan without handing over the country to strong and stable government has nurtured the terrorism in the region again. There are reports that when the US forces withdrew from Afghanistan they left expensive weapons there. Around 95000 nights vision gadgets fitted guns were left there. These 95000 guns are now in the custody of TTP. The question is still un addressed that either US forces have themselves handed over these guns to TTP or TTP some how got these weapons by their own? Whatever the answer is, but the thing to consider here is that these expensive weapons are now in the hands of TTP. TTP equipped with such latest weapons is a great threat for Pakistan. Terrorism is hitting the country again. The government and forces will have to deal this situation immediately, otherwise the situation may worsen in coming days. TTP should be consider as a red line in the real sense.
Published in Daily Country News, December 23rd, 2022.