assailants.
ISLAMABAD:In a significant development amid ongoing tensions betweenPakistan and Afghanistan over cross-border militancy, a prominent commanderof the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Sajidullah alias Muawiya Badri, hasbeen killed in Kabul. The incident occurred in the Panjam Nawae area of theAfghan capital, where Sajidullah and his companions were ambushed byunknown armed individuals during an exchange of gunfire. According toreports, the group was returning from a dinner gathering when the attacktook place, resulting in the deaths of Sajidullah and several of hisassociates. Pakistani authorities have described Sajidullah as a highlywanted terrorist, underscoring his involvement in multiple attacks onsecurity forces within Pakistan’s borders.
Sajidullah, the son of Sharif Khan and hailing from Bari Kot in Upper Dirdistrict, was regarded as a key operational figure within the TTP’shierarchy. His elimination marks a notable blow to the outlawed militantoutfit, which has been responsible for numerous acts of violence inPakistan’s northwestern regions. Officials confirmed that Sajidullah wasdirectly implicated in the August 25 attack in Pinkot, Dir, where fivepolice personnel lost their lives in a brazen assault. This incident hadheightened concerns about the resurgence of TTP activities, particularlyfollowing the group’s regrouping in Afghan territory after the Taliban’stakeover in 2021. The TTP, often referred to as the Pakistani Taliban, haslong used safe havens across the border to launch operations againstPakistani state institutions, exacerbating bilateral strains.
The circumstances surrounding the Kabul firefight remain shrouded inmystery, with no immediate claims of responsibility from any group.Speculation abounds regarding the identity of the assailants, ranging fromrival militant factions to possible involvement by Afghan security elementsor even external intelligence agencies. Pakistan has repeatedly urged theAfghan interim government to take decisive action against TTP sanctuarieson its soil, a demand that has met with limited success and frequentdenials from Kabul. This latest event could potentially alter the dynamicsof counter-terrorism efforts in the region, prompting renewed diplomaticengagements or escalations in border security measures.
Analysts suggest that Sajidullah’s death may disrupt TTP’s commandstructure in the short term, given his role in coordinating attacks andrecruitment in the Dir and Swat valleys. However, the group’s resilience,bolstered by ideological ties to the Afghan Taliban, poses ongoingchallenges. Pakistani security forces have intensified operations along theDurand Line, conducting intelligence-based raids and airstrikes toneutralize threats emanating from Afghan soil. Recent months have witnesseda spike in terrorist incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistanprovinces, attributed largely to TTP and its affiliates, leading tosignificant casualties among law enforcement personnel and civilians alike.
The broader implications of this killing extend to the fragile peaceprocess in Afghanistan and its ripple effects on South Asian stability.International observers, including the United Nations, have highlighted thepersistent threat posed by transnational terrorist networks operating fromungoverned spaces. Pakistan’s government has emphasized the need forcollaborative mechanisms with Afghanistan to address these issues,advocating for stricter border controls and extradition of wantedmilitants. As investigations into the Kabul incident unfold, it remains tobe seen whether this event will catalyze meaningful cooperation or furtherentrench mutual suspicions.
In the wake of such developments, Pakistani authorities continue toprioritize internal security enhancements, including community-basedvigilance programs and technological upgrades for surveillance. The loss ofa figure like Sajidullah underscores the volatile nature of militantlandscapes, where alliances shift and vendettas persist. While his demiseoffers a momentary respite, the enduring fight against extremism demandssustained regional and global partnerships to prevent the spillover ofviolence.
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Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1873456
Source: https://www.geo.tv/latest/567890-ttp-commander-killed-in-kabul
Tags: Pakistan, Afghanistan, TTP, Terrorism
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