The militants include Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) Pakistan and Baloch separatists. A Taliban security official stands guard at a checkpoint near the Torkham border crossing with Pakistan. “Pakistan will need to recalibrate – to not only counter the TTP but also the Taliban forces,” said Bahiss. On Friday, the TTP and other Islamist militants in Pakistan instructed their fighters to conduct “widespread attacks” to defend the Taliban. From 2007 to 2014, TTP militants unleashed a campaign of suicide bombings across Pakistan that killed 20,000 people, including in big cities like Karachi and Peshawar.

Source: The Irish Times March 03, 2026 10:12 UTC