New York: The Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) remained the largest terrorist group in Afghanistan and its collaboration with Al-Qaeda could transform it into an “extra-regional threat”, a new United Nations Security Council (UNSC) report said. With an estimated strength of 6,000–6,500 fighters, TTP remained the largest terrorist group in Afghanistan, according to the 15th report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team.
The report said that one member state expressed concern that “greater collaboration between TTP and Al-Qaeda could transform TTP into an 'extra-regional threat'.” It said the training provided by Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) has resulted in TTP shifting tactics and high-profile attacks against hard targets.
It noted that AQIS, with a strength of 180–200 fighters, is located in Farah, Herat, Helmand, Kandahar, and Nimroz Provinces. It assists TTP in conducting terrorist attacks inside Pakistan, with Tehrik-e Jihad Pakistan claiming responsibility so as to relieve pressure on the de facto authorities.
The country continues to be perceived as permissive or friendly territory by terrorist groups, which also aspire to project threats globally. "The Taliban do not conceive of TTP as a terrorist group: the bonds are close, and the debt owed to TTP significant. Member states continue to detail ad hoc support to, and tolerance of, TTP operations, including the supplying of weapons and permission for training and support from al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) in particular,” the report said.
Several member states estimate that the Da’esh affiliates in the region, including Islamic State Pakistan Province (ISPP) and Islamic State Hind Province (ISHP), in addition to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant - Khorasan (ISIL-K), have increased from 4,000 to 6,000 fighters.
