A UN report where it was mentioned that 1000s of \”Anti-Pak\” terrorists were hiding in Afgh surfaced recently. The TTP has issued a statement. The statement has interesting elements – e.g: Using Pashtun nationalism as the basis for their cause.
A widely circulated report
It claimed that some 6000+ \”anti-Pak\” terrorists, affiliated with TTP have now joined ranks of IS-K in Afghanistan. Different news agencies tried to take the Afghan government\’s statement, but couldn\’t.
Meanwhile, the Indian media on the other hand, as per their SOP, clearly misled their audience by putting headlines like the \”anti-Pak\” terrorists as \”Pak Terrorists\” – A fallacy which, Pakistani and Afghani Journalists should have noticed.
Back to TTP Statement
Apart from their usual rhetoric against Pak, two distinguishing features can be clearly ascertained:
a – Using Pashtun nationalist narrative as a call to their cause
b – Using the official narrative of NDS for their statements
Moreover, NDS, the afghan supreme intel agency, paddled the narrative that ISIS-K and Haqqani Network is part of the same network. Similarly, that the Haqqani Network is a Pak-Supported outfit. The claim garnered no evidence. Hence, it found no support.
NDS Former chief
Amrullah Saleh used to paddle this on his twitter TL – But to date, it has not been proven in any other manner. Additionally, the IEA\’s spokesperson claimed that there is no Haqqani Network, instead, there is only IEA, and its an opposing force of ISIS & TTP.
Interestingly, TTP in their latest statement is echoing the same narrative line, which Afghanistan\’s current regime or more appropriately, Afghan NDS is trying to paddle on the behest of their friends – See encircled paragraph & Underlined statements.
What are they saying?
a – \”Pashtuns\” have always opted for Jihad against the occupation
b – This is our \”Pashtun land & country\” we should fight for its freedom
c – ISI occupied it during Soviet-Afghan War
d – Durand line is an unnatural division
Compare it with the statements of Pashtun nationalists on both sides or with NDS\’ official narrative, paddled through former chiefs such as Amrullah Saleh, the similarities are evident.
A clear convergence of narratives is visible among two opposing ideologies.
Pertinent Details
Lutfullah Mashal – Former NDS spokesperson, in his recent Facebook post clearly mentioned that India is using Afghan soil to settle scores with Pak. Which he said – \”Indians shouldn\’t do\”. A statement also not picked up by Pak-Afghan Journalists.
This statement of the TTP is a glaring example & indication of what\’s coming next for Pak-Afghan.
Lastly, whatever happened in Parachinar & now in #Chaman & how some elements used Pashtun nationalism & now add TTP statement to all of it – this must alarm sane minds of both countries.
