ISLAMABAD: Fierce clashes have erupted among militants of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliated terrorist organizations, as internal divisions within the groups have escalated, according to reliable sources.
Reports indicate that the ongoing infighting has resulted in the deaths of several terrorists who were involved in attacks on security forces, as well as suicide bombings targeting public gatherings. Notably, the internal conflict has also caused injuries to key militants designated by the Pakistani government.
The clashes and casualties can be traced back to a series of events. On January 19, 2022, Mufti Barjan, a prominent figure of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Swat faction, was injured, while the group’s leader, Muslim Yar, was killed. Several months later, on May 15, 2022, a clash broke out, resulting in the deaths of five terrorists from Tehreek-e-Taliban Swat and injuries to eight others.
Internal Fighting Among TTP Factions
The internal conflicts continued, with Gohar, the leader of Tehreek-e-Taliban Bajaur, being injured on May 28, 2022, followed by Zubair alias Kala of TTP on June 25, 2022. On August 7, 2022, Abdullah, a TTP Bajaur militant, was injured, while the group’s leader, Aqabi, was killed the next day. Another significant casualty was the death of Anwar Khan, leader of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, on August 8, 2022.
Moving forward to September 14, 2022, a clash resulted in the deaths of six terrorists, including leaders Badshah Khan and Rosham, with 12 others sustaining injuries. In a separate incident, Balochistan leader Bismillah, alias Pahlewan, was killed.
These internal conflicts highlight the deep-rooted divisions and power struggles within the terrorist groups. The repercussions of these clashes on the overall dynamics of the TTP and its affiliated organizations are yet to be seen.
