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A TTP commander claimed responsibility for the attack in a Twitter post. But hours later, TTP officially distanced itself from the claim, saying attacking a mosque is against its policies. But this clarification followed condemnation of the attack by the Afghan Taliban.
But why Taliban fight Pakistan
TTP is an outfit, which is linked to Afghan Taliban yet maintains a separate identity.
Protesting Pakistan’s cooperation with the US in its war on terrorism, some outlawed Pakistani groups formed TTP in 2007, supporting Taliban’s fight against US and NATO forces.
What TTP wants
TTP seeks stricter enforcement of Islamic laws, the release of its members in government custody, and a reduction in Pakistani military presence in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the province bordering Afghanistan that it has long used as a base.
What’s it doing?
TTP has stepped up attacks on Pakistani soldiers and police since November, when it unilaterally ended a cease-fire with the government. Its talks with Pakistan, hosted by Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers in Kabul, had failed.
Post Taliban takeover
TTP maintains it’s distinct from the Afghan Taliban but shares the same ideology.
After the Afghan Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021, they began supporting TTP openly, releasing their leaders and fighters arrested by the previous Afghan administration.
Pakistan pays the price
Pakistan has seen an uptick in TTP attacks since November. TTP regularly carries out shootings or bombings, especially targeting the security forces. Videos showing Pakistan Taliban beheading a captured soldier often do rounds on social media in Pakistan.
Rise in violence has triggered more fears among residents of the affected Khyber Pakhtunkhwa districts that a military operation may be carried out, leading to more bloodbath in the region.
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