Daily Times

Undeniable proofs surfacing from neighboring country have substantiated the active presence of banned TTP on Afghan soil. Media reports about the killing of banned TTP Commander namely Rahimullah alias Shahid Umar in Shringal area of Kunar province is very intriguing as well as meaningful. Apparently, notorious top Commander of banned TTP was killed in a planned ambush.

Assailants successfully eliminated Rahimullah alongwith three equally important Commanders of terrorist outfit. Surprisingly, interim Afghanistan Government (IAG) has maintained silence on this high-profile killing episode. Reasons behind this mysterious silence of Taliban regime are understandable.

Any acknowledgement of Rahimullah’s targeted killing on Afghan soil would dent the baseless stance of IAG revolving around blatant denial of the presence of banned TTP inside Afghanistan. Silence at this stage, in a way, has further exposed the grey sides of controversial approach of IAG towards the sensitive issue of cross border terrorism.

Deeper connections between banned TTP leadership and IAG’s influential quarters is no longer a well-kept secret. Successful ambush on Rahimullah took three more lives of prominent TTP Commanders namely Tariq Bajuri, Adnan Bajuri and Khaksar. There was a big bounty of Rs 10 Million on the head of Rahimullah alias Shahid Umar. All four killed Commanders of the banned TTP were part of the Bajuri faction of the terrorist group.

Deeper connections between banned TTP leadership and IAG’s influential quarters is no longer a well-kept secret.

Multiple sources believe that simultaneous elimination of senior Bajuri Commanders indicates growing rifts in ranks and files of banned TTP. Though, identity of the killers is still shrouded, however, one cannot rule out the handy work of self-motivated bounty seekers. There are reports about the cut throat rivalry between Mehsud and Bajuri factions.

Besides the violent infights of banned TTP factions, significant factor of furious turf war between hardcore terrorist groups cannot is another possible reason behind the killing of banned TTP commanders. International watchdogs have repeatedly pointed out the dens of banned terrorist groups like Al Qaida (AQ), Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) including its numerous splinter groups on Afghan soil.

These hardcore terrorist groups are running terrorist training camps, freely executing financial transactions and launching cross border terrorist attacks in neighboring countries of Afghanistan. This liberty of action is not possible without the support and consent of the IAG which continues to rule Afghanistan in autocratic manner like an unaccountable regime. Intriguing nature of ties between IAG, warlords and various brands of hardcore terrorist groups is endangering the peace matrix in whole region.

Cross border terrorism emanating from Afghanistan is a common security threat for regional countries ie Pakistan, Iran, China and Russia. Surging terrorism in KP and Baluchistan provinces has posed serious security challenges to Pakistan.

Matter is worsening with the newly formed dubious nexus between religiously motivated terrorist groups and ethnic separatist outfits. Denial of Pakistan’s genuine security concerns by influential quarters of IAG is spoiling fragile bi-lateral ties. Heavy losses of men and material especially the armed forces and civil LEAs have compelled Pakistan to initiate tougher counter actions.

Declaring banned TTP and its splinter groups Fitna-e-Khwarij reflects the seriousness of Pakistan about countering the misleading narratives fabricated with misinterpretations of religious concepts. Blatant misuse of holy concept of Jihad by the Khawrij groups has remained a key factor in spoiling the lives of simple religious minded youth.

Arrival of Taliban on the throne of Kabul amid quick meltdown of Afghan Army has so far proved a meaningful development on many accounts. Afghanistan continues to be the epic center of terrorism where banned organizations are operating with full impunity.

IAG is an unelected regime which lacks international recognition. Rigid mindset and orthodox approach of Afghan Taliban is under criticism; especially female specific enhanced restrictions related to education and employment opportunities are a point of concern for marginalized quarters of society. Active presence of banned TTP and likeminded splinter terrorist groups under the umbrella of IAG is neither acceptable nor tolerable for Pakistan.

Non-cooperative behavior of IAG on this sensitive issue and persistently negative response to the well-intended diplomatic efforts of Pakistan is very provocative in nature. Involvement of Indian state actors with anti-Pakistan terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan is an undeniable bitter fact. Ironically, certain influential quarters in IAG regime carry a soft corner for Indian sponsored terrorist groups.

These groups are marching on the tune of misinterpreted religious and twisted ethnic venomous narratives. Recently imposed ban on so-called Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) has delivered a strong message from Islamabad to those anti-Pakistan elements who are striving hard to destabilize the country with the fusion of Khwarij and ethnic terrorist groups.

Uninterrupted facilitation of Indian proxies by IAG is extremely disturbing development capable enough to compel Pakistan for well calculated precision strikes across the border on terrorist sanctuaries. No rocket science is involved in comprehending the firm linkage between IAG and anti-Pakistan banned outfits amid killing of four senior Khwarij Commanders on Afghan soil. It is about time for IAG to quit playing the role of a spoiler regime in regional arena.

The writer is a student.