Pakistan: The United Nations has recognized the steps taken by the Pakistani government against terrorism in its latest report; adding that the banned Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was responsible for over 100 ‘cross-border’ attacks within three months last year.
The 27th report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, which has presented to the UN Security Council; noted that Pakistan took action against
“individuals engaging in terrorism financing and the freezing of the assets of designated individuals and entities.”
This fall is largely due to the Pakistan army’s kinetic operations against the Pakistani Taliban; which had been responsible for the majority of deaths of civilians and security forces since 2007.
Reporting on the activities of the TTP; the UN report also saw the “reunification of splinter groups (of TTP) that took place in Afghanistan.”
It added that “five entities pledged alliance to TTP( Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan) in July and August (2020), including:
The Shahryar Mehsud group;
Jamaat-ul-Ahrar,
Hizb-ul-Ahrar,
The Amjad Farooqi group and
The Usman Saifullah group
(formerly known as Lashkar-e- Jhangvi).”
The report also cautioned that the merger of TTP has enhanced the threat of terrorism to Pakistan and the region; as it has “increased the strength of TTP and resulted in a sharp increase in attacks.”
“The TTP was responsible for more than 100 cross-border attacks; between July and October 2020,” the report said, adding that based on estimates, the TTP’s fighting strength ranges between 2,500 and 6,000.
Last year; Pakistan handed over a dossier to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the Indian sponsorship of TTP( Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan) and JuA (Jammat ul Ahrar)
Both terrorist groups also have been designated by the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the Security Council.
The writer is Freelancer, associated with Medical Profession ,working towards PhD in Healthcare Management.