The banned armed group Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), known as the Pakistan Taliban, has warned the Pakistani military that it will extend its attacks to the military’s commercial enterprises. This marks a significant escalation in the group’s ongoing conflict with state forces.
In a statement released on Sunday, the TTP declared its intention to target businesses directly linked to the Pakistani army. This includes prominent firms such as the National Logistics Cell, Frontier Works Organisation, and Fauji Fertiliser Company. Military-run housing authorities, a commercial bank, and other entities were also singled out by the group.
Civilian Warning and Deadline
The TTP’s statement urged civilians to divest from these military-run businesses within three months, warning that employees should seek alternative employment to avoid becoming targets.
Despite the serious nature of the threat, the Pakistani military has yet to issue an official response. Al Jazeera contacted Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army’s media wing, but received no comment.
Why Is the TTP Targeting Military-Linked Enterprises?
The warning from the TTP comes as tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan continue to rise. Pakistan has accused the Afghan Taliban of sheltering TTP fighters, enabling them to launch cross-border attacks. In response, the Pakistani military carried out air raids in Afghanistan in December, targeting suspected TTP hideouts.
Security experts believe the TTP’s focus on military-owned businesses reflects a shift in strategy aimed at hurting the army’s economic interests. Imtiaz Gul, executive director of the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), highlighted the significance of this development.
“They know full well that the Pakistani army is the linchpin against them in this fight, and their objective is to hurt the army and undermine its interests,” Gul told Al Jazeera.
According to Abdul Sayed, a Sweden-based security researcher, this marks a departure from the TTP’s previous approach under current leader Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud.
“Under Mehsud, the policy was to limit attacks primarily to security forces. However, recent air strikes in Afghanistan’s Bermal district, which also resulted in civilian casualties, likely pushed hardliners within the TTP to reconsider this approach,” Sayed said.
Rising Violence in 2024
Pakistan witnessed a surge in violence last year, with 2,526 deaths recorded by CRSS. Among these were 700 security personnel, over 900 civilians, and nearly 900 armed fighters. This represents the deadliest year in nearly a decade, surpassing the previous high of 2,432 fatalities in 2016.
The TTP’s resurgence has been fueled by political instability and growing anti-military sentiment within Pakistan.
Exploiting Political Divisions
Analysts suggest the TTP is taking advantage of divisions within Pakistan’s political landscape. Recent social media campaigns, allegedly supported by the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have called for boycotting military-run businesses.
Qamar Cheema, an international affairs expert, pointed to PTI’s role in amplifying these divisions.
“If the PTI had not politicized state institutions, perhaps the TTP might not have been in a position to think of targeting this domain,” Cheema noted.
Since former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s removal in April 2022, PTI has accused the military of orchestrating his ousting. Khan’s imprisonment in 2023 and the subsequent protests intensified the party’s criticism of the military.
Could Urban Violence Return?
The TTP’s threat to target military-run businesses has sparked fears of renewed violence in urban areas. The group was responsible for some of Pakistan’s deadliest attacks, including the 2014 Army Public School massacre that killed over 130 children.
Security analysts believe the TTP’s new strategy could lead to a broader conflict beyond rural areas and border regions.
“A key advantage for the TTP lies in its ability to generate funds, as businesses and individuals associated with them may resort to paying extortion to avoid being targeted,” said Sayed.
Gul echoed this concern, warning that the TTP’s goal is to pressure the Pakistani military into ceasing cross-border air strikes.
“The TTP probably assumes that threatening attacks on commercial interests might dissuade the army from further aggression,” Gul explained.
However, analysts also caution that this strategy could alienate the group from civilians, potentially undermining its objectives in the long run.
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