https://sputniknews.in/20240113/terrorist-turmoil-rise-of-militant-groups-in-pakistan--afghanistan-6154178.html
Rise of Militant Groups Sparks Terrorist Turmoil in Pakistan & Afghanistan
Rise of Militant Groups Sparks Terrorist Turmoil in Pakistan & Afghanistan
Sputnik India
For decades, Afghanistan and Pakistan have been grappling with severe terrorism and security issues. The year 2023 was particularly tumultuous and challenging for both countries.
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Pakistan, in previous year, experienced a disturbing 56% increase in violence, marking an unprecedented surge compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, Afghanistan retained its position as the state most affected by terrorism for the 4th consecutive year year, according to the 2023 Global Terrorism Index Report (GTI).Similarly, in 2023, Afghanistan continued to face the persistent issue of terrorism, with various terrorist groups such as ISIS (Daesh)*, Tehrik I Taliban** Pakistan (TTP), the Haqqani Network, and the Islamic State Khorasan Province (IS-KP) posing significant security challenges.The state of Afghanistan experienced numerous terrorist attacks resulting in civilian casualties, targeting government institutions, security forces, educational facilities, and public gatherings. Additionally, the Taliban,** which regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, has been accused of carrying out extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and other human rights abuses.Pakistan's Escalating Terror Crisis: Year of Unprecedented ViolenceAs per reports, in the year of 2023, the state of Pakistan has faced record-breaking violence, attacks, and terror confrontations. In provincial wise, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces were the primary centers of violence, accounting for over 90% of all fatalities and 84% of attacks, including incidents of terrorism and security forces operations.Sindh and Punjab were relatively peaceful, with only 8% of all fatalities.This included a 57% uptick in the province of Balochistan and a 55% increase in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Additionally, there was a 96% rise in violence in Punjab and a 26% increase in Sindh.Speaking to Furqan Khan, a Research Associate at Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) and Analyst, about this issue. Further he commented, "Islamabad has exhausted most of its reconciliation options including attempts of negotiations with the TTP. However now, even domestically, negotiations with the TTP are not an attractive option for the political and military elite in Islamabad because of the failed efforts in the past."The 2023 security report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) uncovered that nearly 65% of all violence-related fatalities in that year resulted from terrorism, with the remaining 35% from security forces operations against outlaws.The country experienced 586 terror attacks, with only 17% claimed by banned terror outfits such as Tehrik I Taliban Pakistan (TTP),** Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), Daesh (Islamic State Khorasan),* and others. Security forces conducted 197 operations against outlaws, resulting in the deaths of 545 of them.In this regard, Sputnik India interviewed Umair Aslam, a security analyst, CEO of Global Defense Insight, & Co-founder of Afro-Defense Network.Sputnik India also approached Salman Javed, Director General of the Pak-Afghan Youth Forum and political analyst, to take insight about this issue.Afghanistan's Ongoing Struggle: Menace of Militant GroupsSince the invasion of Afghanistan by the United States of America and NATO forces, the country has been plagued by socio-political and security turmoil. The fall of Kabul and the subsequent handover of the Afghan government to the Taliban, a group once designated as a terrorist organization, has led to a humanitarian crisis.As per experts and their analysis that the American and NATO invasion in Afghanistan after 9/11 had a destructive impact on Afghan soil in specifically, and the region as a whole. Today, Afghans are confronted with various forms of terrorism from groups such as the Haqqani Network, IS-K, TTP, ISIS Daesh, and the Taliban itself. The aftermath of the fall of Kabul has left behind a challenging situation with the presence of these militant groups.Sputnik India asked Mr Salman Javed, a security and political analyst, "How can both states ameliorate the security situation?"Additionally, he said, "It's a mix of diplomatic finesse, open conversations, and maybe a cup of chai shared between leaders. Recent developments suggest a positive trajectory, with an exchange of delegations indicating a willingness to engage constructively."Terrorism in Asia: Looming Threat and Humanitarian CrisisThe Asian region is currently grappling with a rise in terrorist attacks and security threats. While Afghanistan and Pakistan have already been contending with this challenge for decades, the recent wave of terrorist attacks in Iran in January 2024 resulted in the loss of 84 lives and was claimed by ISIS, signaling a looming sense of uncertainty in the region.The presence of conflict and violence from Afghanistan to Pakistan to Iran raises the possibility of hidden agendas driven by national interests and international politics and involving non-state actors."I think the current counterterrorism efforts are not effective enough to take care of the terrorist threats. <...> For instance, no amount of military operations in Pakistan can eradicate the TTP unless the Taliban government in Afghanistan denies them safe havens. This was the reason why the TTP, having reorganized in Afghanistan post-US withdrawal, resurged and started targeting Pakistani civilian and military installations," Furqan Khan, further elaborated."Especially China and Russia, given their strategic stakes and geographic proximity, are of pivotal importance. China, with its Belt and Road Initiative, has a vested interest in regional connectivity corridors. Russia, being a historical player in the region, doesn’t want unrest in its backyard. Their interests align with regional security and connectivity in the Af-Pak region," he added.*The Taliban is under UN sanctions for extremism.**Daesh (IS/ISIS/ISIL) is a terrorist organization banned in Russia and other states.
https://sputniknews.in/20231116/pakistan-asserts-self-sufficiency-in-dealing-with-non-state-actors-amid-terrorism-spike-5426753.html
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Pakistan, in previous year, experienced a disturbing 56% increase in violence, marking an unprecedented surge compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, Afghanistan retained its position as the state most affected by terrorism for the 4th consecutive year year, according to the 2023 Global Terrorism Index Report (GTI).
Until now, Pakistan has experienced 1,524 fatalities and 1,463 injuries resulting from 789 terror attacks and counter-terror operations. The country saw a record 6th year high in overall fatalities, including those of outlaws, and witnessed a surge in violence for the third consecutive year.
Similarly, in 2023, Afghanistan continued to face the persistent issue of terrorism, with various terrorist groups such as ISIS (Daesh)*, Tehrik I Taliban** Pakistan (
TTP), the Haqqani Network, and the Islamic State Khorasan Province (IS-KP) posing significant security challenges.
The
state of Afghanistan experienced numerous terrorist attacks resulting in civilian casualties, targeting government institutions, security forces, educational facilities, and public gatherings. Additionally, the
Taliban,** which regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, has been accused of carrying out extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and other human rights abuses.
Pakistan's Escalating Terror Crisis: Year of Unprecedented Violence
As per reports, in the year of 2023, the state of
Pakistan has faced record-breaking violence, attacks, and terror confrontations. In provincial wise,
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and
Balochistan provinces were the primary centers of violence, accounting for over 90% of all fatalities and 84% of attacks, including incidents of terrorism and security forces operations.
Sindh and
Punjab were relatively peaceful, with only 8% of all fatalities.
This included a 57% uptick in the province of Balochistan and a 55% increase in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Additionally, there was a 96% rise in violence in Punjab and a 26% increase in Sindh.
Speaking to
Furqan Khan, a Research Associate at
Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) and Analyst, about this issue.
“The fact is that terrorism is a shared threat for both Afghanistan and Pakistan necessitates a joint resolve to fight it. For Pakistan, TTP is the most potent threat from Afghanistan. As a matter of fact, 2023 was the deadliest year for Pakistan over the last decade in terms of the TTP violence, a group based in Afghanistan that targets Pakistani interests,” Khan told Sputnik India.
Further he commented, "Islamabad has exhausted most of its reconciliation options including attempts of negotiations with the TTP. However now, even domestically, negotiations with the TTP are not an attractive option for the political and military elite in Islamabad because of the failed efforts in the past."
The 2023
security report by the
Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) uncovered that nearly 65% of all violence-related fatalities in that year
resulted from terrorism, with the remaining 35% from security forces operations against outlaws.
The country experienced 586 terror attacks, with only 17% claimed by banned terror outfits such as Tehrik I Taliban Pakistan (TTP),** Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), Daesh (Islamic State Khorasan),* and others. Security forces conducted 197 operations against outlaws, resulting in the deaths of 545 of them.
In this regard, Sputnik India interviewed Umair Aslam, a security analyst, CEO of Global Defense Insight, & Co-founder of Afro-Defense Network.
"Indeed, International cooperation is very much important to counter terrorist activities, but unfortunately, Taliban regime in Afghanistan is not ready to cooperate with the government of the Pakistan. Pakistani government officials highlighted this issue several times. Afghan soil is being used against neighboring state which is also the violation of the Doha Deal," Aslam said.
Sputnik India also approached Salman Javed, Director General of the Pak-Afghan Youth Forum and political analyst, to take insight about this issue.
"Pakistan's wish-list is clear: crackdown on the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), squash anti-Pakistan propaganda, and maybe a sprinkle of acknowledgment for their efforts. On the flip side, Afghanistan's Islamic Emirate (IEA) is flaunting its policy-ideology balancing act but needs a dose of pragmatism to win Pakistan over," Javed remarked.
Afghanistan's Ongoing Struggle: Menace of Militant Groups
Since the invasion of Afghanistan by the United States of America and
NATO forces, the country has been plagued by socio-political and security turmoil. The fall of
Kabul and the subsequent handover of the Afghan government to the Taliban, a group once designated as a terrorist organization, has led to a humanitarian crisis.
"I think one reason for this is the lack of effective control of the Taliban government over the Afghan territory. Regional and international countries should continue engaging the Taliban government and enhance its counterterrorism capacity," Furqan Khan further added.
As per experts and their
analysis that the American and NATO invasion in Afghanistan after 9/11 had a destructive impact on Afghan soil in specifically, and the region as a whole.
They assert that the invasion, characterized by brutality, subjugation and oppression, left behind unresolved turmoil and the presence of many terrorist groups. The aftermath of the invasion has had far-reaching side effects, with neighboring countries such as Pakistan being significantly affected.
Today, Afghans are confronted with various forms of terrorism from groups such as the Haqqani Network, IS-K, TTP, ISIS Daesh, and the Taliban itself. The aftermath of the
fall of Kabul has left behind a challenging situation with the presence of these militant groups.
Sputnik India asked Mr Salman Javed, a security and political analyst, "How can both states ameliorate the security situation?"
"Tackling the surging security challenges in Pakistan and Afghanistan post-2023's violence spree demands more than just policy jargon. It's about fixing the trust deficit that's been running wild between the two nations," the political analyst responded.
Additionally, he said, "It's a mix of diplomatic finesse, open conversations, and maybe a cup of chai shared between leaders. Recent developments suggest a positive trajectory, with an exchange of delegations indicating a willingness to engage constructively."
Terrorism in Asia: Looming Threat and Humanitarian Crisis
The Asian region is currently grappling with a rise in terrorist attacks and security threats. While Afghanistan and Pakistan have already been contending with this challenge for decades, the recent wave of terrorist attacks in
Iran in January 2024 resulted in the loss of 84 lives and was claimed by ISIS, signaling a looming sense of uncertainty in the region.
The presence of conflict and violence from Afghanistan to Pakistan to Iran raises the possibility of hidden agendas driven by national interests and international politics and involving non-state actors.
"
I think the current counterterrorism efforts are not effective enough to take care of the terrorist threats. <...> For instance, no amount of military operations in Pakistan can eradicate the TTP unless the Taliban government in Afghanistan denies them safe havens. This was the reason why the TTP, having reorganized in Afghanistan post-US withdrawal, resurged and started targeting Pakistani civilian and military installations," Furqan Khan, further elaborated.
"International buddies, such as those in the United States, China, and Russia, should think of themselves as relationship counselors. Jump in with peace conferences, support dialogues, and throw in some incentives for good behavior. This isn't just a regional affair; it's a global soap opera, and everyone needs to be invested in the plot twist," Salman Javed said.
"Especially China and Russia, given their strategic stakes and geographic proximity, are of pivotal importance. China, with its Belt and Road Initiative, has a vested interest in regional connectivity corridors. Russia, being a historical player in the region, doesn’t want unrest in its backyard. Their interests align with regional security and connectivity in the Af-Pak region," he added.
"First and foremost, both countries should spill the tea on intelligence, collaborate on counter-terrorism, and, basically, stop playing hard to get," the expert concluded.
*The Taliban is under UN sanctions for extremism.**Daesh (IS/ISIS/ISIL) is a terrorist organization banned in Russia and other states. 
