Reassessing Pakistan’s Security Strategy: A Critical Evaluation of the TTP’s Growing Threat

Desk

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Arshad Mahmood Awan

The December 20 attack by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in South Waziristan, which claimed the lives of 16 Pakistani soldiers, is a grim reminder that Pakistan’s current security strategy is failing. This attack underscores the urgency for a comprehensive rethinking of Pakistan’s approach to counterterrorism and security. While the country has been reacting to individual terrorist incidents since the resurgence of the TTP, it is evident that this reactive strategy is no longer effective. The enemy has repeatedly proven its ability to regroup, adapt, and come back stronger after every attack. The time has come for Pakistan to adopt a more proactive and sustained security approach, one that not only addresses immediate threats but also focuses on long-term solutions to ensure stability.

The Failure of the Current Security Strategy

Pakistan’s current strategy of responding to individual terrorist attacks has proven ineffective, and this latest tragedy is a testament to its shortcomings. The TTP, which was believed to have been largely neutralized after the military’s operations in the past decade, has regained strength, and its attacks are becoming more frequent and deadly. Every time a terrorist group launches an attack, security forces respond, but they have not succeeded in dismantling the TTP’s infrastructure or eradicating the threat entirely. This cycle of retaliation and regrouping is not sustainable. A new approach that focuses on prevention and long-term elimination of terror groups is imperative.

Additionally, relying on diplomatic pressure on the Afghan government to curb TTP activities within Afghanistan has also failed. The Afghan Taliban, who now control the country, have not shown a willingness or ability to curb the TTP’s operations on their side of the border. Simply hoping for Kabul to act against the TTP will not yield results, as history has shown that the Afghan government is unlikely to prioritize Pakistan’s security concerns. Therefore, Pakistan must take more decisive actions on its own soil to address the growing threat.

The Need for a Comprehensive Security Strategy

The statements that followed the December 20 attack suggest that the military is preparing to launch a full-scale operation in the border areas to dismantle terrorist cells and prevent future attacks. This strategy mirrors past military operations, which were successful in breaking up TTP infrastructure in the tribal areas and forcing insurgents to flee across the border. A similar approach is necessary now, but it must be more than just a reaction to individual attacks.

The soft approach of waiting for an attack and then targeting the perpetrators is insufficient as a deterrent. It only serves to weaken the state’s position and embolden terrorist groups. Security forces must take decisive, sustained action to eradicate all forms of terrorist presence along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. This means conducting comprehensive military operations that target TTP camps, sleeper cells, and supply lines, with a focus on eliminating the group’s ability to regroup and launch attacks.

However, there are key lessons from the past that must be learned to avoid repeating the mistakes of previous operations. These operations, while successful in many respects, left several important issues unresolved. It is crucial to address these issues if Pakistan is to effectively combat the new wave of insurgency and prevent future violence.

Empowering Local Law Enforcement

One of the major gaps in Pakistan’s counterterrorism strategy is the underdevelopment of the local police force. During the last wave of insurgency, the army was the primary force tasked with combating terrorism. While the military has played a critical role, the police force, which should be the first line of defense, was neglected. This resulted in a reliance on the military for every security challenge, which is unsustainable.

Pakistan’s police force remains underfunded and inadequately trained to handle the sophisticated and evolving nature of terrorist threats. If the country is to succeed in combating terrorism, the police must be empowered with the resources, training, and equipment necessary to handle security challenges. This would allow the military to focus on high-level counterterrorism operations while local law enforcement manages everyday security concerns. Without strengthening the police force, the state will remain overly reliant on the military, creating gaps in the overall security infrastructure.

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Another issue that has been repeatedly highlighted is the lack of effective intelligence-sharing among the various agencies involved in counterterrorism efforts. Despite the lessons learned from past insurgencies, intelligence-sharing remains fragmented, and various agencies still operate in silos. This was one of the key failures identified after the tragic APS attack in Peshawar in 2014, and yet it remains unresolved.

Intelligence-sharing must be at the heart of any successful counterterrorism strategy. It is essential for all agencies involved in security operations, from the military and intelligence services to local police forces, to share actionable intelligence in real-time. Only then can they effectively coordinate efforts to prevent attacks before they happen and dismantle terrorist networks.

Political Cohesion and National Unity

Equally important is the need for political cohesion in Pakistan’s approach to security. Unfortunately, the political landscape is often fragmented, and petty partisan differences have taken precedence over the nation’s collective security needs. In the wake of the recent attacks, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province that has borne the brunt of TTP attacks, has been preoccupied with political disputes with the federal government. This political infighting detracts from the focus on national security and provides opportunities for terrorists to exploit divisions within the state.

The political elite must show maturity and set aside their differences to address the threat of terrorism. A unified front is crucial for effective governance and counterterrorism efforts. Political leaders must work together, across party lines, to ensure that security concerns are addressed comprehensively, and that national unity is preserved in the face of external and internal threats.

The Growing Threat and the Need for Urgent Action

2024 is already shaping up to be one of the bloodiest years in recent memory, with nearly 900 militant attacks and over a thousand deaths. These statistics are alarming and reflect poorly on the state’s ability to learn from past mistakes. The country has suffered greatly from previous waves of terrorism, with more than 80,000 lives lost in the past. If the TTP’s resurgence is not curbed now, Pakistan risks facing another decade of violence and instability.

The time to act is now. Pakistan’s military, political leaders, and law enforcement agencies must come together to implement a robust, comprehensive strategy that addresses both immediate threats and long-term challenges. By strengthening the police force, improving intelligence-sharing, and fostering political cohesion, Pakistan can begin to take back control of its security and prevent the TTP from inflicting more damage on the state and its people.

The lessons of the past must not be forgotten. With a concerted effort and a clear, unified strategy, Pakistan can break the cycle of terrorism and ensure a safer future for its citizens. The government and military must act decisively to eliminate the threat posed by the TTP and send a clear message that Pakistan will not tolerate terrorism on its soil. Only through a coordinated, all-encompassing approach can the country hope to defeat this new wave of insurgency and secure lasting peace.