Pakistan Army Grapples with Its Toughest Challenge Since 2014
Image Source: GNN
The Pakistani Army is currently facing its worst crisis since Operation Zarb-e-Azb in 2014, following a series of high-profile raids and attacks on military installations. These incidents marked the beginning of the largest crackdown on militant groups.
Two attacks last week, a raid on the Pakistan Air Force’s Mianwali training air base that resulted in damage to certain equipment and an attack on an army convoy in Gwadar that claimed the lives of 14 soldiers, highlight the extreme challenges faced this year.
The losses this year are particularly noticeable because, in 2014, the Pakistani Army conducted a significant crackdown on a network of militant groups, including Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which hasn’t occurred this year. Additionally, the Pakistani Army has had to contend with political demonstrators who, following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, attacked various installations and even set fire to the Lahore Corps Commander’s residence.
The presence of the Taliban in Afghanistan and its covert support for militant organizations operating along the border is believed to contribute to some of the violence. “The TTP has gained strength from the Afghan Taliban’s resurgence. It is possibly receiving help, including weapons, from the Taliban faction in Kandahar, which may be attempting to establish a long-term military barrier against the Haqqani faction,” says Kabir Taneja of the Observer Research Foundation. “This dynamic is reflected in the current cycle of violence against security forces in Pakistan.” According to other experts, TTP has regained the strength it lost following its operations in 2014.
“This escalation can be attributed to the resurgence of Noor Wali Mehsud, who now leads more than 30 local factions from Swat and Waziristan that have pledged allegiance to him. This has allowed TTP to slowly regain the strength it once enjoyed during the pre-Zarb-e-Azb era,” stated Lt Gen Abhay Krishna (retd), the former head of the Indian Army’s South Western, Eastern, and Central Commands.
According to him, the Taliban in Afghanistan are in a difficult situation since taking action against the TTP might lead to the group aligning with ISIS and other organizations. If nothing is done, Pakistan might launch a military operation to secure its border regions.
“Pakistan’s military finds itself stretched thin, as it must simultaneously address insurgency in Balochistan, confront TTP, and maintain its role as a center of political power during times of political turmoil in Pakistan,” he stated.
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