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The unforgiving hills of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have long been a key battleground, both for armed confrontations as well as ideological struggles. Militancy is an old affliction in this region; a perennial problem that has been able to thrive due to the absence of good governance. As we watch another round of violence unfold, the question is not whether the militants have returned — it is how much damage they will be able to inflict before the next “comprehensive solution” is rolled out. Amid all the rhetoric about reform and repeatedly expressed resolutions for a complete victory, the only thing that has seemed constant so far is that the body count has kept rising.
The numbers are staggering — over 193 security personnel have so far this year lost their lives in counterterrorism operations. More than 35 terror attacks in October alone claimed over 40 civilian lives. Then, in one particularly chilling incident in Lower Kurram, over 100 civilians were killed in a single ambush and aftermath. These aren’t just statistics — they’re a glaring reminder that despite years of counterterrorism efforts, militants remain as entrenched as ever.
These militants no longer operate as ragtag groups with Kalashnikovs. They have evolved, developed complex financial networks, and have been able to recruit from the disenfranchised youth. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), it is estimated, rakes in billions through extortion, illegal taxation, and smuggling. These resources have allowed it to outlast all........

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