UNSC Report Analyses TTP’s Increased Momentum After Taliban’s Return To Power

Islamabad
A report compiled by a UN Security Council (UNSC) monitoring committee has shed light on the resurgence of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorist group and regrouping inside Pakistan, specifically after the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan The report highlighted that the TTP has gained considerable momentum in its efforts to regain control on the tribal areas of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan as it has gained encouragement by the fall of Kabul and the under the umbrella support it has been able to get on its cross-border coordination.
Member states assess that the TTP is gaining momentum in its operations against Pakistan. Since the reunification with several splinter groups, the TTP has aspired to re-establish control of territory in Pakistan after being emboldened by the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, says the report. It also highlighted the recent terror attacks in Pakistan, maintaining that the TTP has been focusing on high-value targets in border areas and soft targets in urban areas. The TTP’s capability is assessed as not matching its ambitions, given that it does not control territory and lacks popular appeal in the tribal areas. The member states are concerned that the TTP could become a regional threat if it continues to have safe operating base in Afghanistan, the report added.
Some UNSC member states have also expressed concerns over TTP’s regrouping that might result in its affiliation with different foreign outfits, as well as the possiblity of merging with Al-Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) in the near future. The report further claimed that the AQIS was already providing guidance to the TTP and facilitating it in carrying out targeted terror attacks within Pakistan.