A recent report submitted to the United Nations Security Council has unveiled a troubling revelation: the Afghan Taliban continue to provide financial and logistical support to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). This revelation has raised serious concerns regarding regional security, as Pakistan has witnessed a sharp increase in terrorist attacks originating from Afghan soil. The report states that in 2024 alone, the TTP carried out over 600 attacks in Pakistan, underscoring the persistent threat posed by the militant group and its ties with the Afghan Taliban.
The Afghan Taliban’s association with the TTP is not new, but the depth of their support is now being quantified with alarming clarity. According to the UN report, the Afghan Taliban provide approximately $43,000 per month to the TTP, facilitating its operations and expansion. The TTP has established new training centres in Afghanistan’s Kunar, Nangarhar, Khost, and Paktika provinces, further cementing its operational stronghold. This direct financial and logistical backing has emboldened the TTP, allowing it to launch cross-border attacks with greater frequency and sophistication.
Historically, the Afghan Taliban and TTP have maintained ideological and operational synergies. Both groups follow a radical interpretation of Islamic law and have collaborated in armed struggles. The TTP, formed in 2007, initially operated under the influence of Al-Qaeda and later developed close ties with the Afghan Taliban. Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, the TTP has leveraged this relationship to regroup and expand its influence, taking advantage of Afghanistan’s porous borders and governance gaps.
The resurgence of the TTP, bolstered by Afghan Taliban support, has resulted in a surge of violence in Pakistan. The group has targeted security forces, law enforcement agencies, and civilians, posing a significant challenge to Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts. With access to safe havens in Afghanistan, the TTP has been able to regroup after military operations against it within Pakistan. The UN report also highlights the TTP’s collaboration with other militant groups such as Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan (TJP), further complicating the security landscape.
This transnational collaboration between extremist groups raises the risk of Afghanistan becoming a hub for regional terrorism. If left unchecked, this alliance could destabilize not just Pakistan but also neighbouring countries and beyond. The UN’s warning about the convergence of various militant factions under the TJP banner suggests that Afghanistan is at risk of becoming a sanctuary for extremists with global ambitions.
Pakistan’s security forces have intensified counterterrorism operations in response to the growing threat. The country has made notable progress in dismantling the ISIS Khorasan (IS-K) network, a rival terrorist group that has carried out high-profile attacks in the region. The arrests of key militants such as Adil Panjshiri (Afghan), Abu Mundhar (Tajik), and Kaka Yunus (Uzbek) mark a significant achievement in weakening IS-K’s capabilities. However, the mastermind behind the Kerman attack, Tariq Tajiki, remains at large in Afghanistan, highlighting the limitations of Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts due to external safe havens.
The threat landscape in Pakistan is not limited to the TTP. The banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), particularly its Majeed Brigade (MB), has escalated its attacks in southern Pakistan. The UN report identifies the BLA’s operational expansion in areas like Awaran, Panjgur, and Dalbandin, further exacerbating Pakistan’s security challenges. More concerning is the BLA’s reported ties with both the TTP and IS-K, indicating a broader convergence of terrorist groups with diverse but intersecting agendas.
The Majeed Brigade’s collaboration with the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) and IS-K suggests an alarming shift towards a more interconnected extremist network in the region. This development calls for urgent regional and international cooperation to dismantle these alliances before they evolve into a larger threat.
Given the gravity of the situation, it is imperative for Pakistan and the international community to adopt a multi-pronged approach to curb the Taliban-TTP nexus and the broader terrorist ecosystem.
- Pakistan, along with regional allies and global organizations like the United Nations, must exert diplomatic pressure on the Afghan Taliban to sever ties with the TTP and other extremist groups. Economic and political leverage, including targeted sanctions, could be used as deterrents.
- Pakistan must enhance border security through improved surveillance, fencing, and intelligence-sharing mechanisms. Technological interventions such as drones and satellite monitoring could help curb cross-border infiltration.
- A regional framework for counterterrorism cooperation, including intelligence sharing among Pakistan, China, Iran, and Central Asian states, could help counter the growing terrorist threat. International cooperation with the United States and other key stakeholders is also essential.
- Addressing socio-economic disparities and political instability within Pakistan is crucial in countering terrorist recruitment. A stable internal environment will allow the government to focus more effectively on security challenges.
- Efforts should be made to identify and disrupt financial networks that fund terrorist organizations. This includes working with global financial bodies such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to track and block illicit transactions.
- Pakistan’s military must continue targeted operations against TTP strongholds while also adopting a comprehensive deradicalization strategy. Rehabilitation programs for surrendered militants could be an effective long-term solution.
The UN report has reaffirmed what many security analysts have long suspected: the Afghan Taliban’s support for the TTP remains a major destabilizing factor in South Asia. The increasing frequency and sophistication of TTP attacks pose a serious threat to Pakistan’s security, necessitating immediate and decisive action. A combination of diplomatic, military, and economic measures is required to counter this threat effectively. Pakistan, in collaboration with international allies, must ensure that Afghanistan does not become a breeding ground for terrorism that threatens regional and global stability. Failure to address this issue could have catastrophic consequences, not just for Pakistan but for the entire international community.
