Syed Tajammul Abbas
The recent cross-border terrorist operations in Pakistan are an alarming stage to the security and stability in South Asia. Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2019, terrorist attacks have increased across the border, showing a growing threat of joint militant operations between Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Afghan Taliban. This nexus has increased the ability of militant regrouping to carry out operations freely in Pakistan. This case required a decisive and firm response as Pakistan Army has done recently. It is now significant for Pakistan to adopt zero-tolerance policy against Afghan Taliban and TTP. Some significant measures are necessary to take to completely eliminate terrorism through destroying TTP hideouts, capturing insurgents, eliminating combatants, and expanding the security in the Durand Line, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Baluchistan. Pakistan must not provide shelters again to Afghan refugees, but maintain diplomatic efforts through only legal trade to develop cross-border relations with Afghanistan.
Since the Taliban seized the power in 2019, their government has provided shelters and financed the TTP. These cooperative measures have benefited the TTP with the provided necessary arms and protection to increase terror operations in Pakistan. Across the Afghan border, the safe havens have made the game easier for the TTP militants to regroup and execute the terror attacks without being concerned about the repercussions. The intelligence agencies reported that the TTP chief, Noor Wali Mehsud and his faction are receiving financial and operational assistance directly from Afghan government. Their support challenges Pakistan sovereignty and transgresses international law. The Taliban government must be held accountable for permitting free use of its territory for violence against their neighboring state. This time Pakistan needs to take aggressive actions to completely eliminate TTP networks with pressuring Kabul to act diplomatically and pushing them to restrict facilitations for terrorism.
Pakistan’s national and regional security has been affected significantly due to this novel wave of terrorism. This situation has a resemblance to Operation Sindoor, as Afghan-backed militants continuously target security forces and civilians inside Pakistan. India’s overt support for Taliban has further complicated the threat. The indirect intervention of India reinforces the TTP’s position and destabilizes western frontiers of Pakistan. This explicit support is a goal to drag Pakistan into isolation and foster prolonged regional instability. Pakistan should hence escalate intelligence collaboration, border control and national defense. An organized and powerful plan is needed to prevent infiltration and protect stability in the region.
Moreover, long-term stability in the region relies on state sovereignty and civil liberties. The continued assistance of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) groups by the Afghan Taliban is a definite violation of international law. Their financial support to the activities of TTP and shielding of Noor Wali Mehsud have promoted cross-border terrorism hence destabilizing Pakistan and hindering the process of peace and development of Afghanistan. The Taliban government should realize that encouraging terrorism undermines its legitimacy and its governance. Only in the case when the two states put dialogue in the first place, implement law-enforcement cooperation, and maintain mutual respect, stability can be attained.
The Afghan government, instead of investing in militancy, must guarantee the protection of human rights and educational freedom for women. It is fact that only civilians become victims in any conflict, yet accusing Pakistan for the death of Afghans undermines its right to self-defense. Pakistan holds the right to protect its citizens from terrorism, as every sovereign state does. Dialogue, trade, peace treaties and, cooperation are the pillars of peacebuilding. This is the way to ensure the social protection and human dignity. The peace agreement has been signed last day by both Pakistan and Afghan defense ministers in Doha, a much-needed peace deal for the security of the region. However, its prolonged success depends on the Afghan government’s willingness to avoid financial support to terrorist factions and restrict support to cross-border terrorism.
The new waves of cross-border terrorism operated by TTP and Afghan Taliban have jeopardized Pakistan’s security and regional peace. India’s intervention and Afghan government’s support for TTP networks have created chaos and instability in the region. Pakistan must act decisively by implementing strong counterterrorism measures, doubling the border security, and keeping the diplomatic front open to avoid any future conflict. Kabul should also respect international law, human rights and stop sponsoring the terrorism. Mutual respect, open trade, cooperation, and countering extremism are the only ways to secure long-lasting peace and stability in South Asia.
