Surge in TTP Attacks: What’s Behind the Rising Violence in Pakistan?
Increasing Militancy in Pakistan
Kabul: Recent reports indicate a significant uptick in militant activities across Pakistan, particularly involving the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has intensified its attacks in border provinces and former tribal areas.
Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, the frequency of TTP assaults has surged, with a reported increase of nearly 70% in attacks against both security forces and civilians, according to Khaama Press citing local media.
Security experts have identified the TTP as one of the most pressing internal security challenges for Pakistan, especially in the regions adjacent to Afghanistan, where the group has executed numerous attacks following the collapse of peace negotiations in 2022.
Pakistan has consistently accused the TTP of launching operations from Afghan territory, urging the Taliban to prevent their soil from being used for assaults on neighboring countries. However, the Taliban has denied these claims, asserting that they do not permit any group to pose threats to other nations.
In a recent incident, an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion targeted a vehicle at a cement factory in the Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, resulting in one fatality and nine injuries, as reported by local authorities.
The blast occurred on Begukhel Road near Nawarkhel Mor, with the deceased identified as Fareedullah. The injured included Mir Ahmad, Abdul Malik, Umar Khan, Masal Khan, and Syed Jan, according to Geo News.
Emergency services promptly arrived at the scene to transport the injured to City Hospital in Lakki.
This incident is part of a broader trend of increasing violence against law enforcement in Pakistan, particularly in the border regions of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The attack followed a day after four police officers were killed in two separate shooting incidents in Lakki Marwat and Bannu districts. In one case, three officers were shot by unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle in Sarai Naurang city, with the attackers fleeing the scene.
The victims were identified as Traffic Police In-charge Naurang Jalal Khan, Constable Azizullah, and Constable Abdullah. Authorities have initiated an investigation into these violent occurrences.