In August 2021, the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US troops. This significant event has resulted in a marked increase in terror-related incidents in Pakistan.
The TTP is a banned terrorist organization responsible for numerous attacks within Pakistan. The government asserts that TTP leaders are being sheltered in Afghanistan, particularly in the border regions.
The Pakistani government has initiated a military campaign dubbed Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, which translates to “Resolve for Stability.” The main objective is to eliminate domestic terror threats and manage the activities of militants crossing over from Afghanistan.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has indicated that Pakistan may conduct cross-border strikes on militant hideouts in Afghanistan. He emphasized that such actions would be legal, targeting terrorism exported to Pakistan from Afghan territories.
Since the Taliban's return to power, Pakistan has seen a spike in violence, with nearly 1,000 casualties from around 700 incidents reported in 2023. The majority of these incidents have occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan, areas that are adjacent to the Afghan border.
Recent attacks in Pakistan have specifically targeted Chinese citizens and projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). China, a crucial ally of Pakistan, has invested $62 billion in CPEC and has demanded immediate and effective measures against these threats.
China has condemned the attacks on its nationals and projects in Pakistan and has warned that failure to take decisive action could lead to a reassessment of its investments in the region.
Political figures in Pakistan, such as JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman, have raised alarms about the critical security situation in regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The TTP ended its ceasefire with Pakistan in November 2022, heightening the threat level.
The Pakistani government aims to engage parliament and address the concerns of various political parties regarding the military campaign, striving for a unified approach to combat terrorism.
The defense minister has indicated that cross-border strikes into Afghanistan are a possibility, which could provoke retaliatory actions from the Taliban regime. Pakistan asserts that targeting terror havens in Afghanistan is within its rights under international law due to the exportation of terrorism.
The government is contemplating strict measures to deport illegal immigrants and enhance border controls. Reports indicate a rise in border violence as a consequence of these tightened security measures.
If Pakistan undertakes military operations inside Afghanistan, tensions may escalate, potentially leading to direct confrontations with the Taliban. The situation remains volatile, with the risk of war being a significant concern.
Pakistan’s new military campaign, Azm-e-Istehkam, seeks to stabilize the nation by addressing terror threats and tackling cross-border militancy. However, involvement from regional powers like China, deportation issues, increased border violence, and the potential for cross-border strikes complicate the scenario, leaving the risk of conflict a pressing issue.
Q1. What is Operation Azm-e-Istehkam?
Answer: Operation Azm-e-Istehkam is a military campaign launched by the Pakistani government aimed at eliminating domestic terror threats and managing militants crossing from Afghanistan.
Q2. How has the Taliban’s return affected Pakistan?
Answer: Since the Taliban's return to power, Pakistan has experienced a surge in terrorist incidents, with significant casualties reported. This has raised security concerns across the country.
Q3. What role does China play in Pakistan's security dynamics?
Answer: China is a key ally of Pakistan, investing heavily in infrastructure projects. Its nationals have been targeted in attacks, prompting demands for stringent security measures from Pakistan.
Q4. Why is there a potential for conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan?
Answer: The potential for conflict exists due to Pakistan's consideration of cross-border strikes against militant hideouts in Afghanistan, which could provoke a military response from the Taliban.
Q5. What are the implications of increased border violence in Pakistan?
Answer: Increased border violence poses a significant risk to regional stability and complicates Pakistan's efforts in managing illegal immigration and terrorism infiltration.
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