Pakistan (MNN) — A month-long truce has ended between the government of Pakistan and the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (or TTP).
Nehemiah with FMI calls it the most feared terrorist group in the country. “The TTP carried out 95 attacks in 2020, killing 140 people, and 44 attacks in the first six months of 2021. On July 14, it carried out a suicide attack that killed nine Chinese engineers working at the hydroelectric project in Pakistan.”
So why did the truce fail? Nehemiah says, “During the talks, it was agreed that the TTP’s central leaders would be released from Pakistani jails. But they weren’t released in spite of an understanding between the two sides.”
TTP vs TLP
This group is not to be confused with the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, or the TLP. This is a far-right political movement within Pakistan. It seeks to influence the government towards adopting more stringent forms of Islam and less acceptance of religious minorities.
Nehemiah explains the two different approaches. “The TTP is a very hardcore militant terrorist group in Pakistan. The TLP is more into extremist politics. The TLP wants more to enforce respect for Muhammed and protect his name. The TTP is more militant. But they both have the same ideology, just like the Afghan Taliban.”
Renewed violence
Since the ceasefire ended, the TTP has claimed responsibility for 16 more attacks, killing and wounding several people. The group even targeted police in the capital, Islamabad.
Nehemiah says the TTP has over 70 splinter groups, all united under a common cause. “This is the reason that there is a massive rise in the kidnapping of young Christian girls (forcibly converting them to Islam) and registering false cases of blasphemy against Christians. This Taliban mindset has penetrated into Pakistani society, and it’s very fluid situation.”
Pray many within the TTP would turn away from violence and find hope in Jesus. And ask God to protect Pakistani Christians.
Header image courtesy of asimafridi1995officia on Pixabay.
