PAKISTAN ARMY EYES TOUGHER STANCE AGAINST TTP AFTER TALKS FAIL

After several failed efforts to conclude a long-term peace deal with Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Pakistan army is mulling a tougher stance against the outlawed group as militancy continues in the country. The shift in the Pakistan army’s approach comes amid the three-month ceasefire, as TTP fighters return to Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa and Balochistan, the Dawn newspaper reported. “Directed formations to maintain operational readiness and efforts to counter terrorism, particularly in KP and Balochistan, must continue,” said Pakistan Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa during the 250th Corps Commanders’ Conference, as quoted by Dawn.

The TTP, popularly known as Pakistan Taliban, recently set alarm bells ringing in Islamabad after the outlawed group reappeared in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Swat valley. The News International newspaper reported that Taliban militants reportedly occupied the hilltops of Swat district’s Matta subdivision a few months ago, which created panic in several neighbouring districts, The News International reported.

The Taliban’s unexpected appearance led to anger among the people and caused damage to tourism on the day the Taliban were reported to have arrived in the valley, the report added. Initially, both the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Shehbaz Sharif governments kept quiet on the issue.

After the issue came to the limelight, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that they were in touch with the Afghan government about the Taliban’s appearance in Swat. “The Taliban accepted requests of the local elders and agreed to leave Swat peacefully.

By Saturday afternoon, the Taliban started leaving Swat via Dir, “a senior Pakistan government official told The News on condition of anonymity. The Pakistani newspaper said the government had moved additional troops to Swat and deployed them in different places for a likely offensive against the Taliban. “Luckily, the situation returned to normal and there was no incident of violence in the valley.