The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) marked Pakistan’s Independence Day with deadly attacks across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, exposing Islamabad’s inability to contain its most dangerous terror group. Backed by the Afghan Taliban and armed with advanced weapons, the TTP has resurged as one of the world’s deadliest militant organizations.
On August 14, as Pakistan celebrated its 79th Independence Day, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) unleashed a series of coordinated terror attacks that shook the country’s security establishment to its core. The attacks, carried out across six districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), exposed the growing strength of the militant group that Pakistan once helped create and now finds itself unable to contain.
Coordinated Strikes Across KP
In eight simultaneous strikes across Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Bannu, Hassan Khel, and Shangla, the TTP targeted policemen, killing several and injuring nine others. These attacks were not random incidents but part of the group’s declared campaign to weaken Pakistan’s security infrastructure. The timing of the strikes, on the country’s Independence Day, carried a symbolic weight, serving as a grim reminder of the state’s ongoing vulnerability to terrorism.
A Creation Turned Nemesis
Ironically, the TTP was initially the creation of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Formed to drive a wedge within the Afghan Taliban, the group was once considered a strategic asset. However, the strategy backfired. Over the years, the TTP broke away from the ISI’s influence and transformed into Pakistan’s most dangerous domestic enemy. Today, the TTP has not only expanded its operational capacity but also turned its guns against the very state that once nurtured it.
The Global Terrorism Index Alarm
According to the Global Terrorism Index 2025, the TTP is ranked among the world’s deadliest terror organizations, alongside the Islamic State, Jamaat Nusrat Al-Islam, and Al-Shabab. Data shows that in 2024 alone, these groups were responsible for more than 4,300 deaths globally. In Pakistan, the TTP accounted for nearly 90 percent of terror attacks, causing 558 of the 1,081 recorded deaths. Such figures underline the scale of the challenge that Islamabad faces in neutralizing this threat.
Backing From the Afghan Taliban
One of the major reasons for the TTP’s resurgence is the support it receives from the Afghan Taliban. Following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, the TTP relocated its operations almost entirely to Pakistan. The relative peace inside Afghanistan allowed the group to regroup, unite splinter factions, and rebuild its leadership structure. The porous border and the Taliban’s tacit support provide the TTP with both sanctuary and resources, making Pakistan’s counter-terror operations even more difficult.
A New Wave of Sophistication
The Independence Day attacks also highlighted the TTP’s increasing sophistication. Reports indicate that the group used drones alongside conventional weapons in its strikes, a tactic that marks a dangerous escalation in its operational capabilities. Many of these weapons are believed to be remnants of NATO’s stockpiles left behind during the hurried withdrawal from Afghanistan. Such access to advanced weaponry not only empowers the TTP but also poses a greater threat to Pakistan’s fragile internal security environment.
Failed Military Operations
Pakistan had previously claimed success in weakening the TTP through operations such as Zarb-e-Azb, launched in 2014. That campaign dismantled much of the group’s leadership and forced its cadres into retreat. However, the resurgence since 2021 has undone much of that progress. Unlike before, the TTP has now concentrated its activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, exploiting the border terrain for easy infiltration and escape.
Threat to Chinese Interests
Beyond attacking Pakistani security forces, the TTP has also systematically targeted Chinese interests in Pakistan. Alongside the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), the TTP has carried out several strikes against Chinese projects and personnel linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). These attacks not only threaten Pakistan’s national security but also its international relations and economic stability.
Growing Numbers, Growing Ambitions
The United Nations estimates that the TTP has around 6,500 fighters, with recruitment drives underway to expand its ranks. Alarmingly, the group is also in discussions with Al-Qaeda in the Subcontinent (AQIS) for a potential merger. If such a consolidation takes place, the TTP could evolve into an umbrella organization for multiple extremist groups, significantly amplifying its reach and lethality.
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A Dire Outlook
The Independence Day violence was just the latest signal that Pakistan is fighting a losing battle against the monster it once helped create. With increasing external support, advanced weaponry, and a renewed sense of purpose, the TTP continues to strengthen. For Pakistan, the challenge now lies not only in countering an emboldened terror group but also in recalibrating its failed policies that once sought to use militancy as a strategic tool.