OVER the past two years, Pakistan has witnessed a disturbing escalation in terrorist attacks targeting military installations, security convoys, police posts and civilian infrastructure. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), proscribed as a terrorist organization and named as Fitna al-Khawarij (FAK), has intensified its terrorist attacks in areas bordering Afghanistan. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Dera Ismail Khan and other sensitive border areas, has repeatedly come under terrorist attacks. Pakistani security forces have suffered casualties, while scores of terrorists have been killed in counterterrorism operations.

The persistence of these attacks raises a fundamental question: how can a militant organization operating largely from outside Pakistan sustain such a prolonged campaign? The answer increasingly points to the FAK’s presence and operational space inside Afghanistan. United Nations assessments have repeatedly identified the TTP as one of the major terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory and have documented its continuing momentum against Pakistan. Pakistan’s principal concern is, therefore, not simply the existence of the TTP in Afghanistan but the nature of its relationship with the Afghan Taliban authorities. Islamabad maintains that Afghan territory is being used as a sanctuary, training ground and launching pad for attacks against Pakistan. Pakistani officials have repeatedly urged Kabul to dismantle militant infrastructure, deny sanctuary to TTP commanders and prevent cross-border attacks. Yet, despite repeated diplomatic engagements, the problem remains unresolved.

The past........

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