Pakistani Dailies Examine Pakistan's Airstrikes In Afghanistan In Articles: '5,000 To 6,000 Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Militants Have Taken Shelter In Afghanistan'; Afghan Taliban Spokesman 'Went On To Warn Islamabad Of The Consequences'

In less than three years, the Afghan Taliban and Pakistan have turned from friends to fierce enemies. When the Afghan Taliban mujahideen entered Kabul and took control of the Afghan Presidential Palace (the Arg) on August 15, 2021, Pakistani government and military were jubilant that their allies had assumed control of Afghanistan. Lt.-Gen. Faiz Hameed, the then chief of Pakistani military's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) which has supported all kinds of jihadi organizations in Afghanistan and India, also paid a triumphant visit to Kabul.[1]

On March 18, 2024, Pakistan Air Force carried out air strikes in Khost and Paktika provinces of Afghanistan, aimed at attacking the terror hideouts used by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), especially its Hafiz Gul Bahadur faction, killing eight terrorists. The immediate provocation was a terror attack carried out by TTP at Mir Ali in North Waziristan district of Pakistan in which several Pakistani soldiers, including two senior officers, were killed.

Generally speaking, the TTP's terror attacks from its Afghan hideouts into Pakistan have increased rapidly since the Afghan Taliban came to power. The TTP considers itself as a branch of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (the Afghan Taliban jihadi organization). While the Taliban-ruled Afghanistan had been recently under pressure from Pakistan to act against the TTP, the Taliban rulers who are also fiercely nationalists no longer show sensitiveness to Pakistan after the Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir ordered a forced expulsion of 1.7 million Afghan refugees which was seen as cruel by those inhabiting the border areas.[2]

The consequences of Pakistan's air strikes into Afghanistan are yet to unfold. This violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty is also being watched by Iran and India, both of whom have carried out air raids inside Pakistan in the name of targeting terror bases. Given below are excerpts from editorials and a column by security affairs analyst Zahid Hussain in Pakistani newspapers, examining the situation arising out of Pakistan's airstrikes, but necessarily taking a pro-Pakistani viewpoint against the Afghan Taliban, the former allies of Pakistan.

A screenshot of the editorial in Roznama Jang

Following are excerpts from an editorial in Roznama Jang, as translated from Urdu:[3]

"The Ministry Of External Affairs Says That Some Elements Of The Ruling [Afghan Taliban] Government In Afghanistan Are Also Actively Patronizing TTP And Terrorist Groups And Using Them As Proxies Against Pakistan"

"Afghanistan is not only a neighbor of Pakistan but also a brotherly Islamic country with which we have centuries-old brotherly relations. Pakistan supported it in every difficulty, including external aggression [by Soviet forces during the 1980s]. It gave sacrifices of lives and bore the burden of millions of Afghan refugees on its resources, but the heartbreaking truth is that in response to our love, it always caused us pain and exacerbated our problems. For several years, terrorists from its territory have been launching continuous attacks in various regions of Pakistan. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a banned organization, is at the forefront of this.

"After the Afghan Taliban came to power, it was expected that this process would stop and the obstacles to the brotherly relations between the two countries would be removed, which had been erected by the pro-Indian rulers of Kabul in the past. But unfortunately, this wish was not fulfilled, and Afghan soil continued to be used consistently against Pakistan for terrorism. Terrorism by the TTP and its allied groups has increased attacks on Pakistan's security forces and innocent civilians, resulting in the martyrdom of hundreds of civilians and law enforcement personnel. Among them are innocent children of Army Public School Peshawar [December 16, 2014].

"... [On March 16-17] seven soldiers, including two officers, were martyred in a terrorist attack on a security checkpost in [Mir Ali of] North Waziristan. In this unbearable situation, Pakistan had to conduct an operation against terrorists inside [Khost and Paktika provinces of] Afghanistan on the basis of intelligence on Monday [March 18, 2024].

"According to the Foreign Office, the target of the operation was the TTP ally Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, which is responsible for terrorism in the border areas of Pakistan and the martyrdom of hundreds of civilians and officials. The spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs says that some elements of the ruling [Afghan Taliban] government in Afghanistan are also actively patronizing TTP and terrorist groups and using them as proxies against Pakistan."

"It Is Worth Mentioning That Instead Of Learning Lessons From Pakistan's Action And Giving A Positive Response, Afghan [Taliban] Forces Revealed The Reality Of Sympathy With Terrorists By Shelling Pakistan's Border District Of Kurram"

"Pakistan has once again warned the Kabul government to reconsider its policy of supporting terrorists – eliminate safe havens of TTP and hand over its leadership to Pakistan. [Pakistani military's] Inter-Services Public Relations said in a press release that Pakistan attaches utmost importance to Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity and therefore has always prioritized dialogue and cooperation.

"The Kabul government should take concrete and effective action to prevent Afghan soil from being used against Pakistan. Regarding Pakistan's operation inside Afghanistan, the Afghan [Taliban] spokesman has said that this operation was carried out in the areas of Khost and Paktika, during which eight terrorists were killed.

TTP emir Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud has rebuilt the TTP's organizational structure

"On the other hand, after the terrorist incident in North Waziristan, Pakistan Army killed eight more terrorists in an operation, including their most wanted leader, Commander Sahra alias Janan. The U.S. has termed the operation against terrorists inside Afghanistan as retaliation and has asked the Taliban government to ensure that it stops attacks on Pakistan and find a joint solution to the differences with Islamabad.

"It is worth mentioning that instead of learning lessons from Pakistan's action and giving a positive response, Afghan forces revealed the reality of sympathy with terrorists by shelling Pakistan's border district of Kurram. It is certain that Pakistan will continue to find common solutions against terrorism and prevent terrorists from sabotaging Pakistan-Afghan relations. The Kabul government should also be aware of this issue."

Following are excerpts from an editorial in The News, originally in English:[4]

"Pakistan… Has Consistently Conveyed Its Serious Concerns To The Afghan Taliban Regime About The Presence Of Terrorist Outfits On Afghan Soil, Including The TTP"

"[…] According to Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the prime target of Monday's operation were terrorists belonging to Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, which along with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), is said to be responsible for multiple terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. The latest attack took place on March 16 at a security post in Mir Ali in North Waziristan and claimed the lives of seven Pakistani soldiers.

"Pakistan … has consistently conveyed its serious concerns to the Afghan Taliban regime about the presence of terrorist outfits on Afghan soil, including the TTP. When these terrorists keep launching attacks in Pakistan while they have safe havens in Afghanistan and the Afghan Taliban refuse to take any action against them, there is only so far that Pakistan can wait and watch as its people get killed and martyred.

"While Pakistan has always prioritized dialogue and cooperation, it has pointed out that elements [in Afghanistan] that are 'actively patronizing the TTP and using them as a proxy against Pakistan' have undermined Pakistan – a neighbor that has always stood with the people of Afghanistan through thick and thin. Pakistan has also rightly pointed out that terrorist groups like the TTP are 'a collective threat to regional peace and security' and therefore Pakistan will prevent such outfits from sabotaging bilateral relations with Afghanistan."

"Almost Three Years Of Taliban Rule In Our Neighborhood [In Afghanistan] Has Changed The Strategic And Security Landscape Of Our Country. From Khyber Pakhtunkhwa To Baluchistan, From Karachi To Islamabad, The TTP And Its Affiliates Have Carried Out Terrorist Attacks Across The Country"

"In August 2021, the Afghan Taliban took over Kabul. In almost three years since then, Pakistan has seen a resurgence of terrorist attacks. This is obviously not a coincidence. More than 80,000 lives were lost at the hands of these terrorists and a long battle spanning over a decade was successfully fought to get rid of them by our security forces. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and former Fata [Federally Administered Tribal Areas now absorbed into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province] have seen the worst violence in recent decades at the hands of the TTP.

"It was only after the APS attack [in Army Public School in Peshawar, December 16, 2014] that a proper political consensus was built around a military operation to eliminate terrorist networks from Pakistani soil. We were successful in eliminating terrorist outfits but now all that effort seems to be slipping away due to the Afghan Taliban and their refusal to act against terrorists on their soil. Almost three years of Taliban rule in our neighborhood has changed the strategic and security landscape of our country. From Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Baluchistan, from Karachi to Islamabad, the TTP and its affiliates have carried out terrorist attacks across the country.

"Pakistan gave fair warning to the Afghan Taliban to hand over TTP leadership but there has been little by way of cooperation from across the border. This not only affects Pakistan's security but also leads to forms of xenophobia and resentments on all sides. Pakistan and Afghanistan need to combat terror together: the Afghan Taliban must be prevailed upon to understand this reality and enter the modern age not just in terms of security but also education, healthcare, and governance. That would go a long way in ensuring protection of all people on both sides of the border."

Following are excerpts from Zahid Hussain's column, originally in English:[5]

"The TTP Has Virtually Become An Extension Of Its Afghan Counterpart, And It Is Not Surprising That There Has Been A Massive Surge In Militant Activities In Pakistan"

"[…] According to Pakistani officials, 5,000 to 6,000 TTP militants have taken shelter in Afghanistan. If their family members are included, the number is in the tens of thousands. Most had fled the army operation in the former tribal regions in 2014. Many of them have also been fighting alongside the Afghan Taliban against foreign forces.

"The TTP has virtually become an extension of its Afghan counterpart, and it is not surprising that there has been a massive surge in militant activities in Pakistan after the end of America's war and the return of Taliban rule in Afghanistan.

Map of Afghan province (courtesy: researchgate.net)

"Pakistan has directly held the Afghan Taliban regime responsible for the terrorist attacks. 'The Afghan interim government is not only arming the terrorists but also providing a safe haven for other terrorist organizations as well as being involved in incidents of terrorism in Pakistan,' ISPR [Inter-Services Public Relations department of the Pakistani] said in a statement after the latest terrorist attack in North Waziristan [at Mir Ali on March 16-17, 2024].

"Pakistan has also accused some of the Afghan Taliban commanders of using the TTP as a proxy. It is certainly a grave situation. There has also been strong evidence of the Afghan Taliban being involved with the TTP in conducting cross-border terrorist attacks. Last year [in 2023], hundreds of militants crossed the border and overran Pakistan's security posts in Chitral. For the security forces in Pakistan, another primary concern is that of the militants laying their hands on the modern weaponry left behind by NATO troops and the former Afghan army."

"Given Their Long Connection And Ideological Proximity, The Afghan Taliban Will Not Take Action Against Their Fellow Jihadists. Instead, They Insist That Islamabad Make Peace With The [TTP] Group"

"Given their long connection and ideological proximity, the Afghan Taliban will not take action against their fellow jihadists. Instead, they insist that Islamabad make peace with the [TTP] group, which has been responsible for the killing of thousands of people in Pakistan. Indeed, Pakistan has few options after the failure of diplomatic efforts to persuade the Islamic regime to expel the TTP.

"Nevertheless, military options have severe repercussions for regional peace. A wider conflagration's spill-over effects will be disastrous for the country's internal and external security. Indeed, we must keep up pressure on the Afghan Taliban but should not close doors on diplomatic efforts. Instead of knee-jerk reactions, we must think more rationally.

"There is no doubt that the Afghan Taliban's return to power has been a major contributory factor in the revival of terrorist violence in Pakistan. However, the absence of a coherent strategy on Pakistan's part has also allowed the TTP to claw back some lost space in the former tribal districts, as has the prevailing law and order situation. Indeed, the policy of appeasement has come back to haunt us.

"According to some reports, the TTP fighters are back in many border districts and have set up security check-posts. It is almost a return to the pre-military operation situation – perhaps even worse, as the militants seem to be better organized this time and possess sophisticated weapons.

The attacks against Pakistan's security forces are being carried out with impunity, raising questions about our strategy to deal with the situation. The growing political and economic instability has also vitalised the militant group. We have to put our own house in order. Unfortunately, we have not learnt any lesson."

Following are excerpts from an editorial in The Express Tribune, originally in English:[6]

"Pakistan Has A Serious Cross-Border Infiltration Problem With All Of Its Immediate Neighbors; Apart From The Eastern Front With India, With Which It Has Been Involved Since Inception…"; "The Recent Skirmishes With Iran Also Came To Test The Cordiality Of The Relations With Tehran"

"The airstrikes were also a reminder that Kabul had not been able to keep its promise of acting against non-state actors holed inside Afghanistan, as they are at impunity to roll over into Pakistan's territory. The PAF [Pakistan Air Force] conducted sorties reportedly targeting TTP and its Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group in the provinces of Paktika and Khost. The precision attack resulted in the killing of more than eight terrorists in the rugged mountain along the Pakistan border.

"Kabul, nonetheless, is repulsive and is making an issue out of it, claiming civilian casualties at its end. A spokesperson went on to warn Islamabad of the consequences and pointed out that 'Pakistan should not blame Afghanistan for problems and failure to control violent incidents.' This stance is irrational, to say the least. The Taliban 2.0 dispensation cannot absolve itself of the responsibility to ensure serenity by taking out terror outfits that are at large in Afghanistan.

"The fact that the TTP had claimed responsibility for the Mir Ali attack [in North Waziristan, on March 16-17], and other such incidents in Pakistan, comes as a charge-sheet against Kabul. There is no point in browbeating the sovereignty mantra, as collective security of the region is a liability to dispense by all, and Kabul cannot dig out exceptions in it.

"Pakistan has a serious cross-border infiltration problem with all of its immediate neighbors. Apart from the eastern front with India, with which it has been involved since inception, the western frontiers are coming to a toll. The recent skirmishes with Iran also came to test the cordiality of the relations with Tehran. Now so is the deteriorating equation with Kabul. Pakistan cannot sit idle as it is made to bleed by non-state actors merely because of geopolitical considerations. Islamabad was well within its rights to retaliate, and it did without any regrets."