Pakistan: Incidents and Statements involving
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) : 2023

Pakistan on February 2, asked the interim Afghanistan Government to take ‘concrete actions’ against terrorist outfits including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operating out of the neighbouring country in the wake of deadly terrorist attack in Peshawar killing over 102 mostly police officials, reports The Express Tribune. “Pakistan expects sincere cooperation from the interim Afghan government to address the challenge of terrorism and hopes that Kabul would live up to the commitments made to the international community in this regard,” Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told during a weekly news briefing in Islamabad. “We do not believe in accusations or finger pointing; however, we would reiterate our expectation that no country should allow its territory to be used for perpetrating terrorism against Pakistan,” she said without explicitly mentioning Afghanistan. “It is time the commitments made to the world and Pakistan are fulfilled with sincerity and in good faith with concrete actions,” the spokesperson emphasised, referring to the commitment made by the Afghan Taliban not to allow the Afghan soil to be used again by terrorist groups. Read less...

Nine terrorists from Al-Qaeda and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were arrested in Punjab-wide Intelligence-Based Operations (IBO) initiated by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), reports Daily Times on February 4. Terrorists were arrested in Lahore, Gujranwala, Dera Ghazi Khan and Bahawalpur Districts. Abdur Rehman, Roed Khan, Ghulamullah, Ahmad Hassan, Jalil Ahmad, Imdadullah, Basit Ali, and Junaid Ali were among those arrested. Equipment for readying suicide vests, rocket charges, hand grenades, and heavy quantities of weapons were recovered from the possession of the terrorists. Read less...

Police on February 3 arrested four terrorist, including a prayer leader, belonging to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) during a raid on a house in Hund village of Swabi District, reports Dawn. Regional police officer (RPO) Mohammad Ali Gandapur said the raid was conducted on a house adjacent to the residence of Abdur Rehman, a local Government councillor and also Pesh Imam of a local mosque, who was also present there. He said the Police had also recovered five kilogramme explosives, 26 hand grenades, 46 detonators, 60 safety fuses, two transmitters, a Kalashnikov, wire and receivers, one rocket launcher and a pistol, 49 dry battery cells, 237 rounds, four magazines, seven mobile phones and 78 CD decks. Read less...

One Security Force (SF) personnel, identified as Tanveer, was killed and eight others injured in a suicide blast on Gulistan Road area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, on February 5, reports Samaa TV. Police found remains of the suicide bomber from the blast site. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement, the outfit said their target was SF officials. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) killed 12 Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists during an Intelligence-Based Operation (IBO) in Lakki Marwat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in the night of February 7, reports Dawn. According to a statement issued by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), SFs and the terrorists exchanged fire during which the militants were killed. “Terrorists’ movement and activities were being watched by intelligence tentacles for the last one week. Terrorists were lured in by providing a vehicle for escape that was intercepted and neutralised,” the ISPR said. Weapons, ammunition, and Afghan currency were also recovered from the terrorists during the operation, it stated, adding that SFs were carrying out a clearance operation in the area. Read less...

One Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ‘commander’, identified as Irfanullah, was killed following an exchange of fire between Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and a group of terrorists in Khanewal District of Punjab on February 8, reports Samaa TV. Three other terrorists, however, managed to escape. A suicide jacket, grenade and weapons were recovered from the possession of the slain terrorist. According to a CTD Spokesperson, Irfanullah was the mastermind of the Rawalpindi car bombing and planning to target sensitive installations and important personalities along with his accomplices. Read less...

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and other security agencies on February 9, neutralised a suicide attack plan in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad by arresting two Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists during a joint operation in Police Lines area of Rawalpindi city in Punjab, reports Samaa TV. According to a spokesman, the terrorists had planned suicide attacks on Saddar Bairuni Police Station, Rawalpindi District Courts and St Paul’s Church. The terrorists, along with their local facilitators, had conducted a recce of all the targets and sent their pictures to the Afghanistan-base operated by the Haji Faqir group. Sensitive documents, arms, ammunition, modern weapons and satellite phones were recovered from the arrested terrorists. Read less...

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on February 9, refuted the claim made by former Prime Minister Imran Khan that people from South Waziristan had been tasked with killing him, reports Dawn. TTP said its war was against the Security Forces and intelligence agencies, not against any political personality. “We have received information that the head of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf in a meeting with the party’s provincial spokespersons claimed an assassination attempt was being planned by the TTP and South Waziristan residents have been tasked with executing the task,” a TTP statement said. It added that a similar baseless claim was made by some party members 10 days ago. The statement said that the outfit’s war was against security forces and intelligence agencies and not against political figures. However, it warned politicians of attacks if they became part of the war. Read less...

At least four soldiers were killed and 22 others, including 15 employees of Petroleum Company were injured in a suicide attack on a convoy of Security Forces (SFs) and Marri Petroleum Company in Khajori Chowk of Mir Ali sub-division in North Waziristan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on February 11, reports India Today. Local officials said the convoy was on its way from North Waziristan to Bannu when the suicide bomber riding a tri-wheeler laden with bomb struck the SFs’ vehicle in the Khajori area. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack. Read less...

According to a new report released on February 14 from United Sates (US) think tank, US Institute of Peace (USIP), the Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers are unlikely to discontinue supporting militants in Pakistan as they feel that economic troubles prevent Islamabad from launching a major operation against the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), reports Dawn. “Amid Pakistan’s economic crisis and the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan, the Pakistani Taliban have re-emerged as an increasingly potent threat,” warned the USIP report. Referring to Kabul’s recent criticism of Islamabad’s policies, the report argued that “this undiplomatic rhetoric underscores the Taliban’s determination to continue supporting the TTP, even in the face of intensified pressure from Pakistan”. USIP argued that the Taliban’s response to being confronted about their support for the TTP “has been to level counter-accusations — which does not signal an impending shift away from that support”. USIP report fears Pakistan’s deteriorating economy will limit its ability to act against terrorists. Read less...

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on February 14 foiled terrorist attack and killed seven Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists in crossfire in Mir Ali Bypass Road of North Waziristan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reports Dawn. As per details, the terrorists attacked CTD team when they were moving suspected terrorists Miranshah to Bannu. In the crossfire with the Security Forces (SFs), three suspects in the custody and four terrorists were shot dead, while five to six terrorists managed to flee the scene by taking advantage of darkness. Read less...

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on February 15 arrested two Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists, identified as Ghulam Hussain and Ghulam Mustafa, during an intelligence-based operation in Dera Ghazi Khan District of Punjab, reports Samaa TV. Explosives, weapons and material required for making suicide jackets were recovered from the possession of arrested terrorists. According to CTD officials, the arrested terrorists were planning and surveillance to target sensitive places. Read less...

A Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ‘suicide bomber’ was killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) by the Security Forces (SFs) in the Spinkai area of South Waziristan District on February 17, reports ARY News. The IBO was conducted after intelligence confirmed the presence of a ‘suicide bomber’ belonging to the TTP. During an exchange of fire, the TTP ‘suicide bomber’, identified as Rehman Mehsud alias Nekro was killed after his vest exploded. The killed terrorist had come to Pakistan from Afghanistan and was involved in various attacks on SF personnel. He was also a close ally of important TTP ‘commanders’ Azmat Ullah aka Lala and Khairban aka Khairu. Read less...

Five terrorists and four persons including two rangers and one Policeman were killed and 18 people were injured in an operation in the night of February 17 when terrorists stormed into the building of Karachi Police Chief building in Shahrah-e-Faisal area, reports Geo News. At least three terrorists blew themselves, while two were gunned down in the shootout. The attack began at 7:10pm, while Police and Rangers personnel cleared the five-storey building in phases, finally sweeping the entire office by around 10:46pm. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed the responsibility of the attack. Read less...

The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on February 17 repulsed an attack by terrorists on Security Forces (SFs) in Kala Bagh Town of Mianwali District in Punjab, killing a ‘commander’ of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), reports ARY News. According to a CTD statement, the terrorists opened indiscriminate fire on SF personnel, prompting SF to retaliate. During the exchange of fire – which lasted for almost 20 minutes, a TTP commander – identified as Habib-ur-Rehman – was killed. However, other terrorists managed to flee from the spot. A Kalashnikov, suicide jacket and TTP stickers were recovered from the possession of killed terrorist. Read less...

The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on February 18 arrested eight suspected Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists from different areas of the Punjab, reports Dawn. The CTD spokesperson said the teams had conducted intelligence-based operations in Lahore, Sargodha and Multan and arrested eight TTP terrorists. The teams also recovered a cache of arms, ammunition and suicide jackets from their possession. Read less...

Police on February 20 arrested one Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorist from the Chakiwara area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, reports ARY News. According to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Arif Aziz, the terrorist was identified as Saim Umar. A police patrol party observed suspicious activities of a man in the neighbourhood and they stopped him for snap-checking. During the snap-checking, Police personnel recovered two hand grenades. The suspect was later identified as a TTP terrorist Saim Umer. Read less...

One Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorist was killed while five others were arrested in an exchange of fire during an operation conducted by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in the Tela Band area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on February 22, reports Geo TV. The CTD statement said that the slain terrorists belong to the TTP and were involved in over 20 extortion cases. The militants were involved in grenade attacks and firing incidents, said the CTD. "The detained terrorists had demanded Rs5 million from a citizen named Imtiaz and upon his refusal, the terrorist attacked the victim's house with a grenade and by shooting at it," it statement added. Two Kalashnikovs, six hand grenades, two pistols and cartridges were recovered from the terrorists, the statement said, adding that all the terrorists including the one who was killed belonged to Afghanistan. Read less...

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on February 22 foiled a terrorism bid in Layyah District of Punjab and arrested a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorist, reports ARY News. The CTD conducted an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Layyah District, arrested terrorist Abdul Qayyum. In a statement, a CTD spokesperson said that the arrested terrorist wanted to target a sensitive building in Layyah while the raiding team also recovered explosive materials and equipment for making suicide vests from his possession. Read less...

The Foreign Office on February 22 said that the Afghan Taliban promised to cooperate with the Pakistan Government on its concerns about the presence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists and sanctuaries, reports Dawn. The Foreign Office in a statement issued after a day-long trip by a delegation led by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif to Kabul said growing TTP and IS-K threat was discussed and “the two sides agreed to collaborate to effectively address the threat of terrorism”. The delegation among others included Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Chief Lieutenant General Nadeem Anjum, Foreign Secretary Asad Majid, Special Envoy on Afghanistan Muhammad Sadiq and Pakistan’s chargé d’ Affaires in Afghanistan Obaid Nizamani. Read less...

Six Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists were killed by the Counter-Terrorism Department and Police in a joint intelligence-based operation under Dadiwala Police Station in Lakki Marwat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on February 23, reports Dawn. In a statement issued, Lakki Marwat Police spokesperson Shahid Hameed said that the operation was conducted in the jurisdiction of the Dadiwala Police Station after security personnel got a tip-off that terrorists were planning an attack on the Abbas police checkpost. “When the security teams reached the terrorists’ hideout, they opened fire at police officials from multiple directions. The police retaliated as well,” he said. Hameed said that when the firing stopped, the Police searched the site and found the bodies of six terrorists. A cache of arms, ammunition and grenades were recovered from the possession of slain terrorists. Four of the slain terrorists were identified as Ziaullah, Safatullah, Mohibullah and Kaleemullah. The identification of two others was underway, the official said. Read less...

The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on February 25 arrested seven Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists during different Intelligence Based Operations (IBOs) in parts of Lahore and other cities of Punjab, reports Samaa TV. Suicide vests, explosives and weapons were recovered from their possession. The terrorists wanted to attack sensitive installations in Pakistan, CTD claimed. Read less...

According to a United States (US) State Department report, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) aims to push the Government of Pakistan out of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and establish Sharia by waging a terrorist campaign against the military and state, Dawn reported on March 1. According to the 2021 ‘Country Reports on Terrorism’, the TTP uses the tribal belt along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border to train and deploy its operatives. TTP draws ideological guidance from Al Qaeda, while elements of Al Qaeda rely in part on TTP for safe haven in the Pashtun areas along the Afghan-Pakistan border. “This arrangement has given TTP access to both AQ’s global terrorist network and its members’ operational expertise.” State Department report notes action taken against India-focused militant groups, regrets failure to dismantle such outfits. Read less...