The TTP's resurgence: A grim reality for Pakistan

Pakistan Army executed a record 9,775 counter-terrorism operations this year, leading to the elimination of 925 terrorists linked to the group now rebranded as Fitna AI Khawarij, a term introduced by DG ISPR to describe the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

- PARTH SETH

In 2024, Pakistan faced a troubling resurgence of terrorism, partly fuelled by NATO’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, which has intensified longstanding security concerns across the country. During a press conference on December 27, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhary, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), underscored the military and intelligence agencies’ unwavering efforts to combat this rising threat. He disclosed that the Pakistan Army executed a record 9,775 counter-terrorism operations this year, leading to the elimination of 925 terrorists linked to the group now rebranded as Fitna Al Khawarij, a term introduced by DG ISPR to describe the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). This marks the highest number of terrorist neutralisations in the last five years. Furthermore, security forces effectively targeted 73 highvalue individuals, including prominent militant leaders, demonstrating a strong and proactive approach to tackling extremism.

However, despite these claims of military success, the stark reality tells a different story. The Annual Security Report 2024 by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) presents a sobering assessment: 2024 has been the deadliest year in a decade for both civilians and military personnel. The report documents 2,546 fatalities from violence-related incidents, including 685 security personnel—a staggering 66% increase compared to 2023. These figures highlight the formidable challenges facing Pakistan’s security forces as they grapple with persistent threats from militant groups such as the TTP and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).