ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leadership has issued directives to all its militant groups to immediately return to Afghanistan from the tribal areas.
These directives were issued by Mufti Noor Wali and the senior leadership present on Afghan soil, and were disseminated in an organized manner at three levels.
Messages are being conveyed from the central leadership to regional commanders and from there to local militants through Facebook Messenger, printed pamphlets, and specific informer networks to ensure clear instructions are delivered to all groups.
Each group has been instructed to break into smaller units and return to Afghanistan via the same routes they used to enter Pakistan.
The message was authenticated by individuals like regional commander Mullah Saeed Anar and disseminated in Waziristan and other sensitive areas of Pakistan.
At the local level, militants were ordered through recorded messages to immediately cease all operations, postpone pre-planned attacks, and not act on any unverified messages.
They have been instructed that the next order will only be issued by the central Amir after reaching Afghanistan.
All messages are being issued in Pashto with “Bismillah” and specific phrases to maintain trust and leadership control within the groups.
Retreat by the TTP
This retreat by the TTP apparently seems to be the result of a ceasefire and Pakistan’s recent military pressure, in which Pakistan adopted a strong stance against the Kabul government and strongly responded to attacks from Afghan soil.
However, this step is not a complete defeat but might be the beginning of “regrouping,” where groups are temporarily dispersed to reorganize.
The Afghan government’s silent role in this entire process and the dissemination of orders from Afghan soil makes it clear that the Afghan Taliban are in control.
This organized return is certainly a temporary relief for Pakistan, but not a guarantee of long-term peace. This is an “Operational Pause,” not the end of the war.
Pakistan must remain constantly active and vigilant on the three fronts of security, narrative, and intelligence to completely eliminate these groups before their potential return or restoration of military capability in the future.
