The graph of militancy and terrorism in Pakistan following the recent trends is still high and apparently seems to stay high as terror groups operating against Pakistan and it’s interest are getting more deeply penetrated and more organized against the state while propagating anti state stance and sentiments.  The banned terrorist groups are exercising more professionalism into their organizational structure in order to get terrorist more deeply and swiftly grip against their enemy. For instance last week, Pakistani Taliban (TTP) shadow province for Peshawar Division or *Wilayah Peshawar* announced an eight-member military commission and officials for 13 districts, including an emir and a deputy and directors for intelligence, education, welfare, and finance for each district.  As per details a source informed that  TTP has appointed officials for its designated 13 districts of the Peshawar shadow province, which include six districts in the Mohmand tribal district, three in Peshawar, and two in the Khyber tribal district in addition to Shabqadar and Nowshehra districts. Moreover in a recent statement, Pakistani Taliban (TTP) has blamed successive Pakistani governments for current economic crisis in country, accusing them of compromising on country’s foreign policy & strategic assets for a tranche of loan from IMF etc. This suggests that TTP discourse has become more political recently. Apart from that there was no ISKP/ISPP attack in Afghanistan/Pakistan during last week. However, the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) claimed 12 attacks last week, 1 in Punjab & 11 in KP, that included a suicide attack and assassination of a DSP rank senior police officer. Other than TTP, Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) – the militant group also published 2022 Annual Report of Terrorist Attacks; claimed total 162 attacks on security forces; killing/wounding 313; confirmed 10 BLF militants also killed by forces; BLF vowed attacks will continue with intensity.

Some recent militancy and counter militancy activities reported are as following:-

·        On 18^th January, In a terrorist activity from across Pakistan-Iran border in Chukab Sector of Mand Sheraz area, District Kech, Balochistan, 4 security forces personnel have embraced martyrdom. According to government sources the terrorists used Iranian soil to target a convoy of security forces patrolling along the border. Iranian side has been asked to hunt down the terrorists on their side. Martyred soldiers have been identified as Lance Naik Muhammad Younas Khan, L/N Abdul Razzaq, L/N Fareedullah Khan & Sepoy Asad Ali.  While strongly condemning the attack from Iran, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said militant used Iran’s soil for the attack in Pakistan and urged Tehran to take action on the matter. Plus Iran’s Embassy in Pakistan also condemned the attack.

·        On 18th January, Security forces conducted a search operation in Gorkop area of district Kech during which they encountered with armed militants and as result 4 militants were neutralised. According to regional sources, Pakistani forces and armed militants , both sides have suffered casualties. The dead bodies of four militants have been shifted to Turbat’s hospital for identification.

·        On 18^th January, targeted killing of a cleric was reported in Dera Ismail Khan.  As per details, a Shia man named Saqlain Abbas was shot dead by terrorists near Babbar Pakka Madrasah Muhammadiyah in Tehsil Purwa. The terrorists belong to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan's Iqbal alias Balikhiyara group.

·        On 18^th January, The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in cooperation with Intelligence agency arrested 5 alleged terrorists of the banned organization while conducting operations in different areas of Karachi.  According to CTD, during the joint operations, 5 alleged terrorists of banned organization were arrested from Much Goth and Saddar Empress Market.  CTD said that the alleged terrorists wanted to blow up the high tension line supplying electricity to the Hub city from Karachi. The alleged terrorists also confessed to the murderous attack on a businessman in Thatta on linguistic grounds.  According to CTD, the alleged terrorists also admitted to racketeering of foreigners and officials of intelligence department.

·        On 18^th January, a clash broke out b/w Pakistan Security Forces and TTP militants in Razmak area, North Waziristan as a few terrorists were intercepted by security forces during a search operation. Resultantly, 2x terrorists were eliminated by the security forces while a couple were reported seriously wounded but escaped.

·        On 18^th January, Anti-State militants of Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) martyred an alleged collaborator of Pakistani military in Aabsir, Turbat around midnight. According to BLA’s spokesperson, “the intelligence wing of BLA had gathered information that a non-resident named Babo Khan alias Allah Rakhia is working as an informant for the Pakistani military in Turbat and adjoining areas. He was working in disguise, and had been spotted in company of Pakistani military. Hence based on the verified information, BLA fighters eliminated the military collaborator. BLA has warned multiple times that collaborators of enemy will be targeted irrespective of their caste or religion”. According to a source the victim belonged from Jacobabad City of Sindh Province.

·        On 19^th January at around 1700 hrs, armed terrorists opened fire at the Security Forces in Ehsanpur village, Lakki Marwat. However it was a failed attempt as the terrorists caused no casualties. However, in the result of swift retaliatory action, 1x terrorist was killed by the forces while the other ran away cowardly. TTP  in a later statement have claimed responsibility for the attack by releasing a video. As per sources, the vehicle of DSP Iqbal was targeted.

·        On 19^th January, a suicide bomber blew himself at a police post in Takhta Beg area of Khyber Tribal District in which three policemen got martyred and one other got injured. Initial reinforcements were immediately called in and investigations had begun. According to sources a total of four attackers planned and executed the attack. They simultaneously threw grenades and also fired upon the forces. DPO of the district officially stated that two policemen were martyred on the spot while third one later succumbed to death. TTP in a detailed statement accepted the responsibility of the attack while threatening to conduct more against the state forces in future. The banned terrorist group has identified the suicide bomber as Hamza.

·        On 19^th January,  TTP militants kidnapped 4 employees of an oil exploration company in Miranshah, District North Waziristan. All 4 are non-locals [identified as 1) Sagheer, 2) Faisal Raza, 3) M Ijaz, 4) Maqsood Ali) ]& were on their way back from site of exploration when they went missing on Thursday evening. According to sources the militants belonged to TTP’s Khushali Faction. Security forces in response conducted an immediate Hostage Rescue Intelligence Based Operation around following midnight was  in Khatti Kali, Hamzoni North Waziristan. The operation went successful as all the hostages were recovered safe and sound as only one hostage and a rescue team member (Sepoy) got minor injuries.

·        On 20^th January, two missing minor girls found by police in Lahore. As per details the  girls had  run away to reach Korea & meet BTS. Two girls, aged 14 years, who were reported missing in Karachi, were found 1200 KM away in Lahore.  Police stated that they found a diary in their home which had mention of "taking train to Korea" from Lahore. Police told they were able to track the girls through the notes they left in diary about 'train timetables'. Senior police officer has asked all parents of the nation to monitor the screen time of their children.

·        On 20^th January, Several people got injured as an explosions targeted a passenger train, Jaffar Express, in Panari area of Mach Bolan, Balochistan.

In a statement, Baloch Liberation Army has claimed the attack, stating the group detonated a remote control IED on the Jaffar Express. Railway services have been suspended in the region.

·        On 21^st January, a  police check post in Dheri Zardad area of District Charsadda, KPK came under attack at evening.  Resultantly 3 police personnel had been injured in the attack while a search operation is underway to find the assailants. According to DPO Charsadda, 2 policemen succumbed to injuries  while 1 of them is critical. Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan has claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement.

·        On 22^nd January, 1 Levies (paramilitary) personnel was shot dead while another got wounded in a firing raid by armed assailants in Wali Khan bypass area of District Mastung, Balochistan. According to a local source, vehicle of Assistant Commissioner Mastung was basically attacked near By-pass area of the Mastung. Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), in a statement has claimed responsibility for the attack. After years of silence, the group has claimed its first attack, following months of statements in which the spokesman was threatening a comeback by the group.

·        On 22^nd January, a police mobile van was targeted by a locally manufactured IED in the Shekhan area of Peshawar. The vehicle had been damaged but there were no casualties reported. The bomb disposal unit says around 1 kilograms of explosives were used. The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in a statement has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Analysis

Considering the increased frequency of attacks specially due to TTPs reactivation in Pakistan, more intelligence based operations to root out the militancy seem inevitable. Pakistani security forces also  need to proactively encounter the increasing threats and activities of ISPP/ISKP within its territories. The increase in militancy in my opinion in a part of a larger propaganda to weaken Pakistan’s peace conditions which consequently will worsen the economic conditions too. This propaganda obviously will benefit the enemy states of Pakistan. Also, a devastated Pakistan can be more useful and submissive to International powers rather than a strong independent Pakistan. It is just to be realized once and for all that which states have the motive to take Pakistan to such conditions. Considering the financial sourcing of militant wings like BLA, BLF, TTP etc by agencies of India, America and Israel, it is not a riddle to highlight the beneficiaries of Pakistan’s devastation. Plus the recent visit of Pakistani delegation (supported by Shehbaz regime) have raised a feeling of rage and wrath among general public ideologically they consider Israel to be the biggest enemy of not only Pakistan but whole Muslim community.