The security situation in the border regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and the former tribal areas remains volatile as on Wednesday it was reported that five security personnel were martyred in two attacks. In addition to the tragic casualties, two civilians have been injured in the attacks as well. As per reports, the first bomb attack targeted a vehicle and when the police squad was moving towards the blast site, the second bomb exploded. The frequency of the attacks taking place in the border areas is extremely concerning. While internal security mechanisms need to be looked at, there is only so much the security agencies can do given the growing presence of militants in Afghanistan across the border.
The attacks in Bajaur district were claimed by the TTP, but reports emerged that in the Shahpur area of Peshawar, a counter-terrorism operation was conducted where three terrorists belonging to Islamic State-Khurasan (ISIS-K) were killed. A senior official from the Counter Terrorism Department revealed that all three individuals were residents of Afghanistan. While the TTP has been emboldened over the past few months, ISIS-K has also been growing its footprint as it has carried out a series of high-profile attacks in Afghanistan following the departure of US troops.
The growing presence of ISIS-K needs to be addressed urgently because the threat is not going to be just limited to Afghanistan, but will in fact spill over to a number of neighbouring countries. The Taliban realises that conducting a counter terrorism operation while the country teeters on the brink of economic collapse is going to be a very tall task. Tackling ISIS-K on its own will result in a prolonged and deadly conflict which will generate instability at both the national and regional levels.
This perhaps explains why the Taliban agreed to work with Russia, China and Iran on regional security during the talks held in Moscow this week. This is certainly an encouraging development since a collaborative regional effort to stem cross-border militant movement, recruitment, alliances and funding sources is the only way forward.
