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TTP Commander killed in Afghanistan, PICSS Weekly Insight 29 Nov-05 Dec,2024

Despite some reduction in lethality, militant attacks across Pakistan continued during the week under review, with 14 incidents resulting in 11 fatalities and 13 injuries. These included six attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), five in Balochistan, two in the erstwhile FATA and one in Punjab. The attacks comprised tactical assaults, IED explosions, targeted killings, and isolated cases of grenade attacks, kidnappings, and mortar fire. Violence was concentrated in southern KP districts, including Lakki Marwat, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan and South Wazirsitan, while attacks in Balochistan were more geographically dispersed. Meanwhile, security forces intensified operations, killing 32 militants and apprehending six suspects, with most of the casualties reported in mainland KP.

A multi-party conference (MPC) convened by KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on
December 5 aimed to address the province’s deteriorating security situation. The MPC criticized the federal and provincial governments for failing to curb violence, with Governor Kundi lamenting the absence of proactive debate and planning within KP’s leadership. The forum also raised political and economic demands, including the release of overdue funds, transparent mineral lease allocations, and the dignified return of displaced persons from tribal areas. However, the absence of PTI, the ruling party in KP, undermined the conference’s efforts to present a united front against terrorism. PTI’s refusal to participate, along with accusations of political point-scoring by critics, highlighted the fragmented political landscape and the lack of consensus on a unified strategy to counter rising violence and instability in the province.

Pakistan’s political landscape remains charged, with escalating tensions between PTI, the establishment, and the ruling coalition. While PTI employs social media and protests to exertpressure, internal divisions between moderates advocating dialogue and hawks pushing for aggression are creating further challenges for the party. Legal troubles for PTI and its leadership have intensified, with multiple high-profile indictments, arrests, and non-bailable warrants issued in connection to past protests and alleged attacks. Despite confrontational rhetoric, signs of possible engagement are emerging, as backdoor political meetings among coalition leaders and PTI’s calls for dialogue indicate a potential shift. Meanwhile, the government plans to amend cybercrime laws to counter misinformation and curb PTI’s media campaigns, further polarizing the political environment.

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) witnessed a near-total shutdown on 5 December as widespread protests erupted against a controversial presidential ordinance regulating public assemblies. Despite the ordinance’s suspension by the AJK Supreme Court, the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) demanded its complete repeal and the release of detainees. The peaceful yet resolute demonstrations, characterized by shuttered markets and deserted transport routes, signaled deep public dissatisfaction with governance and trust deficits in official assurances. The government has offered dialogue to defuse tensions, but JKJAAC
leaders warned of further escalatory actions if demands are unmet. The protests reflect thefragility of public trust in AJK’s governance structures and could escalate into a broadermovement if grievances remain unaddressed.

Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander Rahimullah alias Shahid Umar, a key figure with a bounty of Rs10 million, was killed in Afghanistan’s Kunar province in a targeted attack. Conflicting reports suggest he was either shot after attending a lunch hosted by an Afghan Taliban official or killed in a blast at the site. While the responsible party remains unidentified, possibilities include internal TTP disputes or involvement of the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP). Concurrently, unconfirmed reports indicate an understanding between Pakistan and Afghanistan to relocate TTP militants and their families to Ghazni province, with Pakistan bearing the costs. This relocation, apparently influenced by China’s mediation efforts, aims to address Pakistan’s security concerns, though its success depends on the Afghan Taliban’s ability to control TTP movements across borders.
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