Taliban advances with 15,000 fighters towards Pakistan's border
- Since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in 2021, violence from the Pakistani Taliban has surged, with reports indicating 2024 is the deadliest year on record.
- Pakistani airstrikes targeting TTP hideouts in Afghanistan have triggered Taliban retaliation, heightening security concerns along the border.
- The escalation of attacks raises alarms about the consequences of Pakistan's past support for the Taliban as a strategic asset.
Pakistan is currently facing a significant increase in violence due to a resurgence of the Taliban, particularly following the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021. This spike in attacks can be mostly attributed to their new regime, which has been less cooperative with Pakistan than previously anticipated. Reports indicate that approximately 15,000 Taliban fighters are mobilizing toward the Pakistani border, which has raised concerns regarding national security in Pakistan. This military buildup comes in the wake of Pakistan's airstrikes against Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts, leading to a retaliatory stance from the Taliban. The Kurram region, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has been particularly hard-hit. The local community, which is predominantly Shiite and minority in Pakistan, is suffering due to blockades imposed to mitigate violence. Basic necessities have become scarce, leading to a humanitarian crisis where medical assistance is critically lacking, and numerous children have tragically died due to the lack of healthcare. The long-standing land disputes in this region have further exacerbated tensions between communities, adding complexity to the ongoing violence. Terror activities have surged, with sources reporting a 56% increase in fatalities due to violence in 2023 compared to the previous year. This includes more than 1,500 deaths, many of whom were security personnel. The relationship between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban has soured significantly, resulting in Pakistan implementing trade restrictions and adjusting immigration policies in response to escalating violence. The Taliban and TTP have become a dual threat for Pakistan, complicating counterterrorism efforts further. Historical context indicates that Pakistan has previously nurtured the Taliban as a proxy in Afghanistan, which has now resulted in a backlash that threatens Pakistan’s own stability. The ongoing tensions highlight the dangerous implications of using terrorist groups as strategic assets, with consequences now unfolding dramatically as Pakistan grapples with the fallout of its past support for the Taliban.