Latest news with #Tehrik-eTalibanPakistan
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Business Standard
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Man held in Bangladesh for suspected ties to Pak-based militant group
Bangladesh's Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) has reportedly arrested a man from Savar, around 24 kilometres from Dhaka, for suspected involvement with Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a banned militant outfit. The man, identified as 33-year-old Md Foysal, was detained from his shop on July 2 based on intelligence inputs, according to The Daily Star. Along with Foysal, five others were named as accused: Al Imran alias Engineer Imran Haider, Rezaul Karim Abrar, Asif Adnan, Zakaria Masud, and Md Sanaf Hasan. The Daily Star, citing case documents, reported that Foysal admitted to being inspired by TTP's ideology. He claimed to have travelled to Afghanistan via Pakistan in October 2023, accompanied by 23-year-old Ahmed Jubair alias Yuvraj. Foysal reportedly told authorities, 'We left Dhaka on October 18, arrived in Pakistan on October 29, and crossed into Afghanistan through the Torkham border on November 6.' He returned to Bangladesh via Dubai on November 16, while Jubair remained behind and was later killed in a Pakistani army strike in Waziristan, the report said. Foysal said that Engineer Imran Haider played a central role in recruiting young Bangladeshis into TTP. He added that Rezaul, Asif, Zakaria, and Sanaf were involved in spreading TTP ideology online and were 'preparing for jihad'. What is Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan? Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistan Taliban, is an alliance of formerly disparate militant groups that came together in 2007 following Pakistan military operations against Al-Qaeda-related (QDe.004) militants in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, according to the United Nations website. Formed under the leadership of Baitullah Mehsud, who has since died, TTP is rooted along the Afghanistan/Pakistan border. According to UN estimates, TTP has between 30,000 and 35,000 members. Growing ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh Bangladesh, which was formed after 1971 Muktijuddho against Pakistan, has grown closer to Islamabad following the collapse of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's government. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus has met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif twice — once at the UN General Assembly in New York and again at the D-8 Summit in Cairo. A visit by Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch to Dhaka marked the first high-level diplomatic exchange between the two nations in 15 years. Despite maintaining neutrality amid India-Pakistan tensions, Bangladesh has ramped up engagement with Pakistan, including resumption of trade talks, relaxed visa norms, and renewed military and foreign ministry interactions.
AllAfrica
18-06-2025
- Business
- AllAfrica
Taliban making steady gains toward global legitimacy
The Taliban's quest for legitimacy is gaining momentum after Pakistan upgraded diplomatic ties last month, promoting its charge d'affaires in Kabul to the rank of ambassador and accepting the Taliban's counterpart in Islamabad. At the time, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the Pakistan-Afghanistan relationship was on a 'positive trajectory' and that the move was a positive step towards 'enhanced engagement' in the areas of trade, security and counterterrorism. This is a big win for the Taliban, particularly after its relationship with Islamabad broke down over terror attacks on Pakistani soil by the Taliban-affiliated militant group Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The situation had reached crisis levels when Pakistan carried out airstrikes on alleged terror camps in Afghanistan last year, killing 46 people and sparking border skirmishes between Taliban and Pakistani soldiers. Pakistan's recognition is the latest in a series of diplomatic victories for the Taliban. China was the first country to seek closer ties, sending its ambassador to Kabul in 2023 before accepting the credentials of a Taliban envoy in Beijing. At the time, Chinese officials said the Taliban should not be excluded from the international community. Today, China is the Taliban's closest partner. China recently hosted a trilateral meeting with Taliban and Pakistani officials in Beijing that successfully cooled tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan. Beijing also announced it would extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan, representing a potential Belt and Road Initiative-fuelled trade boon for the Taliban. Taliban envoys occupy embassies in every Central Asian country barring Tajikistan, and the United Arab Emirates has also sent an ambassador to Afghanistan. More recently, the Taliban has welcomed Indonesia's chargé d'affaires in Kabul and Iran has accepted the appointment of the Taliban's new Consul General in Mashad. Russia also plans to send an ambassador after removing the Taliban from a list of designated terror organizations. Further afield, Japan hosted a high-level Taliban delegation in February, the first visit to the country by any Afghan government. For a regime accustomed to international isolation, engaging with the likes of Japan and Indonesia is seen as a key route towards international legitimacy. India, too, is bidding to engage with the Taliban. There are reports that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will soon accept a Taliban ambassador in New Delhi. That comes after Indian and Taliban foreign ministers met in Dubai in January. India clearly thinks this is the time to recognize the Taliban before the country is dominated by rivals Pakistan and China. Even the United States, which battled Taliban insurgents for nearly two decades in the name of the War on Terror, has shown signs of softening on the regime. For example, Washington removed millions of dollars worth of bounties for senior Taliban leaders in March, including for Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, to secure the release of George Glezmann, an American tourist detained by the Taliban in December 2022. Despite this, the Taliban still faces stubborn obstacles to achieving full legitimacy. Most significantly, the regime continues to be denied Afghanistan's seat at the United Nations; it has been barred from taking the seat four times since 2021. Many countries still refuse to recognize the regime due to its abysmal treatment of women – called 'gender apartheid' by the UN experts – and its close links to internationally designated terrorist groups. History shows winning legitimacy is rarely a linear process and is often a game of diplomatic patience. The People's Republic of China spent years in isolation before it was recognized by the West as the legitimate government of China, taking its place on the UN Security Council in 1971 and recognized by Washington only in 1979. This was a decision based on pragmatism – an acknowledgment the PRC was not going anywhere and that engaging with Beijing was then aligned with Western strategic interests. Similarly, while China, India and the US have at one time or another all demanded the Taliban respect women's rights and root out terrorism, these unmet demands have not stopped them and others engaging with the regime by opening embassies, exchanging envoys and making deals. There is a pragmatic view emerging that the Taliban is probably here to stay and that it is better to engage with the regime rather than further isolate Afghanistan. The West seems to believe it can negotiate with so-called Taliban 'reformers' to improve the situation for women and girls, while China, Russia and Iran see the regime as a key ally against the deadly Islamic State in Khorasan (ISK), which has carried out attacks in Russia and Iran and threatened Chinese interests in the region. But the Taliban's words and actions show this approach is not working. The Taliban continues to roll out punitive edicts oppressing women and made it clear its position is fused with its harsh interpretation of Islam and is thus non-negotiable. And the West's decision to engage is no doubt seen by the regime as a sign of weakness, validating its stance and emboldening it to take further hardline positions and policies. Indeed, with reports supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzad has strengthened his power base and marginalized Taliban moderates, reforms look increasingly unlikely. The Taliban has also wholly failed to defeat ISK, seen by the group's brazen assassination of Taliban powerbroker Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani last year, terror attacks on civilians in Russia, Iran and Turkey, and threats to do the same against India. There is also certain evidence ISK has successfully infiltrated the regime's intelligence agencies and attracted disillusioned Taliban soldiers to its ranks. At the same time, The Taliban is believed to be backing Al Qaeda and TTP, likewise failing on its vow to keep Afghanistan terror-free. The regime's inability to divest from terrorism makes the region less safe, a reality experienced by China, Russia, Iran, Pakistan and India since the Taliban returned to power. Legitimizing and emboldening the Taliban, therefore, comes with significant security risks that may ultimately outweigh the potential diplomatic benefits of engagement. Nonetheless, the Taliban is winning the battle of legitimacy despite these failings, helped by Afghanistan's strategic position between Central and South Asia and China's willingness to fill the vacuum left by the US after its fateful 2021 withdrawal.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
What US intelligence reveals about India's enemies
India's two adversaries, Pakistan and China, are modernising their militaries. While China is focused on expanding its global military footprint posing 'a most comprehensive military threat' to the US, Pakistan is trying to sharpen its nuclear strategy to offset India's conventional military edge. This is what a US intelligence assessment report titled '2025 World Threat Assessment' has revealed. Written after Operation Sindoor , the report talks about India's defence priorities. "Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's defense priorities will probably focus on demonstrating global leadership, countering China, and enhancing New Delhi's military power. India views China as its primary adversary and Pakistan more an ancillary security problem to be managed, despite cross-border attacks in mid-May by both India's and Pakistan's militaries," the report says. Following are excerpts from the report on Pakistan and China: by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now What US intelligence says about Pakistan During the next year, the Pakistani military's top priorities are likely to remain cross-border skirmishes with regional neighbors, rising attacks by Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan and Baloch nationalist militants , counterterrorism efforts, and nuclear modernization. Despite Pakistan's daily operations during the past year, militants killed more than 2,500 people in Pakistan in 2024. Live Events Pakistan regards India as an existential threat and will continue to pursue its military modernization effort, including the development of battlefield nuclear weapons, to offset India's conventional military advantage. Also Read: India and Pakistan's drone battles mark new arms race in Asia Pakistan is modernizing its nuclear arsenal and maintaining the security of its nuclear materials and nuclear command and control. Pakistan almost certainly procures WMD-applicable goods from foreign suppliers and intermediaries. » Pakistan primarily is a recipient of China's economic and military largesse, and Pakistani forces conduct multiple combined military exercises every year with China's PLA, including a new air exercise completed in November 2024. Foreign materials and technology supporting Pakistan's WMD programs are very likely acquired primarily from suppliers in China, and sometimes are transshipped through Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. However, terrorist attacks targeting Chinese workers who support China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects have emerged as a point of friction between the countries; seven Chinese nationals were killed in Pakistan in 2024. What US intelligence says about China China maintains its strategic objectives to be the preeminent power in East Asia, challenge the United States for global leadership, unify Taiwan with mainland China, advance the development and resiliency of China's economy, and become technologically self-sufficient by mid-century. China is rapidly advancing its military modernization and developing capabilities across all warfare domains that could enable it to seize Taiwan by force, to better project power in the western Pacific, and to disrupt U.S. attempts to maintain presence or intervene in conflict in the Indo-Pacific region. President Xi continues to publicly express concern about disloyalty and corruption in the PLA's ranks, and in 2024 a long-serving admiral in charge of enforcing loyalty and ideological compliance across the PLA was removed and investigated for corruption. The dismissal resembles the abrupt removal in 2023 of China's defense minister and senior PLA Rocket Force officers, reportedly because of corruption surrounding weapons procurement and nuclear modernization. In mid-March, press outlets identified a vice-chairman of China's Military Commission—Gen He Weidong—as another senior target of anti-corruption investigations. China's nuclear warhead stockpile probably has surpassed 600 operational nuclear warheads. We estimate that China will have more than 1,000 operational nuclear warheads by 2030—much of which will be deployed at higher readiness levels for faster response times. China's space-related activities aim to erode U.S. space superiority and exploit a perceived U.S. reliance on space-based systems to deter and counter intervention in a regional military conflict. China is investing in space systems that enhance its own Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting (C5ISRT) capabilities. China will continue to launch a variety of satellites that substantially enhance its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities; field advanced communications satellites able to transmit large amounts of data; improve its space-based positioning, navigation, and timing capabilities; and deploy new weather and oceanographic satellites. China is improving PLA systems to operate further from China for longer periods and establishing a more robust overseas logistics and basing infrastructure to sustain deployments at greater distances, efforts that can potentially threaten U.S. global operations or international commerce during a conflict.
Economic Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Pakistan regards India as an existential threat: US defence intelligence annual report
Agencies Representational image The US defence department in its World Wide Threat Assessment report for 2025 has said that Pakistan sees India as an "existential threat," while India regards Pakistan as one of an "ancillary security problem."The US defence intelligence agency says that the Pakistani army will continue to pursue its military modernisation effort, "including the development of battlefield nuclear weapons"."Pakistan regards India as an existential threat and will continue to pursue its military modernisation effort, including the development of battlefield nuclear weapons, to offset India's conventional military advantage," the report metions."Pakistan is modernising its nuclear arsenal and maintaining the security of its nuclear materials and nuclear command and control. Pakistan almost certainly procures WMD applicable goods from foreign suppliers and intermediaries," it added. Further, the report says Pakistan's top priorities will likely remain cross-border skirmishes with regional neighbors. "During the next year, the Pakistani military's top priorities are likely to remain cross-border skirmishes with regional neighbors, rising attacks by Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan and Baloch nationalist militants, counterterrorism efforts, and nuclear modernization," the report said."Despite Pakistan's daily operations during the past year, militants killed more than 2,500 people in Pakistan in 2024," it addedUS also said that Pakistan is the "primary recipient" of China's economic and military generosity and foreign materials and technology supporting Pakistan's armed forces are very likely acquired primarily from suppliers in China"Pakistan primarily is a recipient of China's economic and military largesse, and Pakistani forces conduct multiple combined military exercises every year with China's PLA, including a new air exercise completed in November 2024," the report said."Foreign materials and technology supporting Pakistan's WMD programs are very likely acquired primarily from suppliers in China, and sometimes are transshipped through Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. However, terrorist attacks targeting Chinese workers who support China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects has emerged as a point of friction between the countries; seven Chinese nationals were killed in Pakistan in 2024," it added. The defence intelligence agency (DIA), which operates under the US Department of Defense, focuses on military intelligence. The report comes after 26 tourists were killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in a terrorist attack last month. In retaliation, Indian Indian armed forces launched missile strikes targeting terrorism-linked infrastructure inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Both countries were engaged in multiple rounds of missile launches, drone operations, loitering munition attacks, and intense artillery shelling from May 7 to May 10.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Pakistan regards India as an existential threat: US defence intelligence annual report
The US defence department in its World Wide Threat Assessment report for 2025 has said that Pakistan sees India as an "existential threat," while India regards Pakistan as one of an "ancillary security problem." The US defence intelligence agency says that the Pakistani army will continue to pursue its military modernisation effort, "including the development of battlefield nuclear weapons". "Pakistan regards India as an existential threat and will continue to pursue its military modernisation effort, including the development of battlefield nuclear weapons, to offset India's conventional military advantage," the report metions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Undo "Pakistan is modernising its nuclear arsenal and maintaining the security of its nuclear materials and nuclear command and control. Pakistan almost certainly procures WMD applicable goods from foreign suppliers and intermediaries," it added. Further, the report says Pakistan's top priorities will likely remain cross-border skirmishes with regional neighbors. Live Events "During the next year, the Pakistani military's top priorities are likely to remain cross-border skirmishes with regional neighbors, rising attacks by Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan and Baloch nationalist militants, counterterrorism efforts, and nuclear modernization," the report said. "Despite Pakistan's daily operations during the past year, militants killed more than 2,500 people in Pakistan in 2024," it added US also said that Pakistan is the "primary recipient" of China's economic and military generosity and foreign materials and technology supporting Pakistan's armed forces are very likely acquired primarily from suppliers in China "Pakistan primarily is a recipient of China's economic and military largesse, and Pakistani forces conduct multiple combined military exercises every year with China's PLA, including a new air exercise completed in November 2024," the report said. "Foreign materials and technology supporting Pakistan's WMD programs are very likely acquired primarily from suppliers in China, and sometimes are transshipped through Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. However, terrorist attacks targeting Chinese workers who support China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects has emerged as a point of friction between the countries; seven Chinese nationals were killed in Pakistan in 2024," it added. The defence intelligence agency (DIA), which operates under the US Department of Defense , focuses on military intelligence. The report comes after 26 tourists were killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in a terrorist attack last month. In retaliation, Indian Indian armed forces launched missile strikes targeting terrorism-linked infrastructure inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Both countries were engaged in multiple rounds of missile launches, drone operations, loitering munition attacks, and intense artillery shelling from May 7 to May 10.
