Third and final part: Why is TTP attacking the Pakistani military and installations?
By Abdul Naser Noorzad, Security and Geopolitics Researcher, specially for Sangar
Read other parts here:
Pakistan and TTP - Two Sides of the Same Coin
Pakistan and TTP - Two Sides of the Same Coin-2
In this section, we will focus on the question that if TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) is an intelligence product serving Pakistani interests, then why is it targeting Pakistani military and installations and why are its attacks increasing?
To better understand the security game Pakistan is leading with this group, it is necessary to look at some of the rules of intelligence games in the form of security theories. For example, every security game requires a certain cost to become ingrained in public opinion and become an indisputable fact. It is in this sense that TTP, at the behest of Pakistan, has been targeting mainly Pakistani Pashtun officers, which has created the perception that the group has become the ultimate threat to Pakistan's national security. In this case, the ISI will succeed in its game and gain public trust in its legitimacy against the false claims of fighting terrorism.
Moreover, the TTP attacks the Pakistani army and military installations not just for fun, but to show that the Pashtuns constitute the majority in the ranks of this group and also support the TTP. It is on this pretext that the army and its military intelligence, taking advantage of the situation, neutralize and minimize the possibility of any military uprising and struggle of the Pashtuns of Pakistan for autonomy. Because the Pakistani regime and its army have always been afraid of the Pashtuns and their claims for an independent Greater Pashtunistan, they recognize this, not publicly but secretly, as a serious threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the TTP can be considered an entertainment topic and an excuse for Pakistan to continue its bloody security games in the region. Islamabad is trying to attract India's attention by carrying out constant, zig-zagging, and shocking counter-attacks that are calculated to exploit Pakistan's military intelligence security assessments to divert India's attention from Pakistan's intentions in the region. From the perspective of the Pakistanis and their military, India needs to be convinced that Pakistan is engaged in an internal conflict is desperately fighting terrorism, and has no plan for Kashmir or to carry out attacks on Indian soil.
Finally, to demonstrate that Pakistan is facing a growing security threat and that huge investments are needed to increase its capabilities, resources, and military budget to strengthen the defense capabilities of its armed forces, the TTP's attacks are orchestrated in such a way as to show that this work is indeed necessary and is required by the deteriorating security situation in the country.
Conclusion:
TTP is not an Indian product and is not sponsored by any foreign country. This group specifically serves Pakistan's security and strategic interests. Moreover, since this group is an internal product and brainchild of Pakistani intelligence, it has acquired a special position to ensure the country's strategic interests by redefining the depth of its strategy.
The TTP game is an artificial issue through which Pakistan has benefitted from abundant foreign resources. For this reason, the Pakistan Army with its effective leadership is trying to show that the country is in a deep security crisis and needs the compassion of the world community.
Also, Pakistan is trying to show that when it comes to confrontation and antagonism with India and Afghanistan, it is on the right side and that it is suppressing a terrorist organization, which is a puppet group serving the interests of India and Afghanistan. This country pretends that although it is itself a victim of terrorism, by opposing terrorist ideas, it is also part of the global struggle and battle against the monster called terrorism.
