Washington has clearly backed up Islamabad to fight the Taliban, as the terror attacks have increased across Pakistan allegedly conducted by the outlawed TTP militants.
In the recent past, terror incidents have increased all over Pakistan, allegedly operated by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The insurgent group is ideologically affiliated with the Afghan Taliban and is backed by them in achieving their political objectives in Pakistan.
Following a number of terror attacks that took the lives of Pakistan’s two premier intelligence agency (ISI) personnel, army officials, and scores of innocent civilians in different parts of Pakistan, the country’s leaders announced their decisiveness in combating the terror groups.
Not long ago Islamabad hinted that it will attack TTP hideouts in Afghanistan, followed by Washington’s backing. The Secretary of the US States Department Ned Price clearly said that is the absolute right of Pakistan to defend itself against terror groups.
The public backing of Pakistan’s position by Washington signals a red alarm to TTP and other militant groups having sanctuaries in tribal regions in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The US-Pakistan cooperation has compounded the Taliban’s tensions. While Americans have no boots on the ground in Afghanistan, they have been conducting over-the-horizon counterterrorist operations in the country. They killed former Al-Qaida leader, Ayman al-Zawahri in the heart of Kabul on August 22. It is believed that Pakistan provided the required support in this operation.
Meanwhile, the top US military commander spent three days in the violent border region in Pakistan and discussed enhancing counter-terrorism operations. Apparently, America has left the region, but it is still carefully watching this part of the world, leaning on Pakistan’s partnership again.
