The Reality of Cross-Border Terrorism
The term “cross-border terrorism” has become so common in diplomatic discussions that it often loses its impact. However, for the people living in Pakistan’s border regions and for the soldiers guarding these areas, this issue is anything but abstract. It is a harsh reality that has grown more brutal and clear over the past six months. This period has not only been marked by conflict but also by a grim revelation—the undeniable and deadly connection between the TTP (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan) and the Afghan Taliban. This alliance is causing significant harm to Pakistan from across the border.
A Pattern of Violence
The events from April to September have painted a clear picture of the situation on the ground. In North Waziristan, 71 terrorists who were operating from Afghan soil were neutralized. In Bajaur, three brave soldiers lost their lives during Operation Sarbakaf, with the attackers including Afghan-linked fighters. In Zhob, the bodies of 50 killed terrorists—mostly Afghan nationals—were sent back to Paktika, Afghanistan. These incidents are not isolated; they form a blueprint for an ongoing campaign.
The bomber in Bannu was an Afghan named Abdul Aziz from Paktika. The explosives expert killed in Sarwakai was also an Afghan. The operative captured in Malakand was an Afghan as well. These are not coincidences; they represent a coordinated effort that has led to increased violence against Pakistan.
Strategic Timing of Attacks
The timing of these attacks adds another layer of concern. They occur at a critical moment when the Afghan Foreign Minister is visiting India, where anti-Pakistan rhetoric is being formalized into joint declarations. At such a time, with Pakistan’s adversary hosting this visit, these attacks are not mere coincidences. They reflect a calculated strategy that the people of Pakistan understand all too well.
Resurgence of the TTP
What we are witnessing is the systematic revival of the TTP as a proxy force. Evidence suggests that 500 to 600 hardened ex-TTP fighters, battle-hardened from fighting alongside the Afghan Taliban, are being funneled back into the TTP’s ranks by Afghan warlords. This collaboration highlights how old hostilities are being reactivated with new tactics, sending a clear message from Pakistan’s enemies.
The Human Cost
Behind every statistic is a name, a family, and a future sacrificed for our present. The three soldiers martyred in Bajaur were not just numbers; they were someone’s son, someone’s father, someone’s only hope. The six soldiers killed in Bannu had dreams and families waiting for them. It is a profound betrayal that while our soldiers pay the ultimate price, there are voices—both within and outside our borders—who dare to justify, sympathize with, or even support the TTP. These apologists, sitting in comfort, are endorsing the very killers who rob our children of their fathers and our nation of its protectors. There is no ideological excuse that can justify the murder of those who stand on the front lines to keep us safe.
International Response
The conclusion is inescapable: Pakistan’s warnings are no longer predictions; they are proven facts. Our UN Ambassador’s report to the Security Council in August was a necessary and justified cry to the world, reaffirming what we see on the ground every day. The trilateral dialogues with Afghanistan and China, while diplomatically important, have so far failed to stem the tide of violence. This tells us that words are not enough. Therefore, we must view this situation in this very context and further strengthen our national unity and defensive resolve.
A Threat to Regional Stability
The Afghan government’s inaction, or worse, its complicity as part of a larger hostile alliance, is an existential threat to Pakistan. It directly endangers the stability of crucial regions like Malakand and Bajaur—areas that are the economic and cultural heart of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Need for Global Action
The world must understand what is at stake. This is not a local skirmish. This is a state-sanctioned terrorism enterprise operating from Afghan soil with broader geopolitical backing, and it threatens to unravel the entire region’s fragile peace. The international community’s continued reluctance to hold the Afghan Taliban accountable is seen here as a green light for more violence. It is long past time for decisive global action. The nexus has been exposed. The evidence is irrefutable. Now, the world must have the courage to confront it.