A deadly blast in Peshawar on January 30, the latest attack in northwest province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, occurred in a mosque in the Police lines compound.1 The death toll from this suicide bomb blast rose to at least 100 on January 31, marking one of the deadliest attacks in Pakistan in years. 12 kilograms (26.5 pounds) of explosives were used by a suicide bomber as confirmed by Inspector General of Peshawar Police Moazim Jah Ansari. 2  

As of now, the main motive or target of attack were not ascertained, but it has been reported that the mosque is usually visited by policemen. Capital City Police Officer, Peshawar (CCPO) Ejaz Khan, thus specified, “Close to 300- 400 policemen usually offer prayer at the Zuhr time. If a blast has taken place inside police lines, then it is a security lapse but an investigation into the matter can reveal further.”3

As reported by Al Jazeera on February 1, 2023, the authorities were blamed for lapse of security. Apparently, they were aware of a security threat as the intelligence agencies informed the authorities that suicide bombers have penetrated into the city of Peshawar and there was a threat of an imminent attack but they took it lightly.4

a view of the blast site

Being typical of Pakistan, this ghastly attack was followed by confusing statements coming from the terror outfit, Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP). Initially on January 30, TTP members Sarbakaf Mohmand and Omar Mukaram Khurasani claimed the blast was a “revenge” attack for the death of TTP militant Khalid Khorasani in 2022. Later, the TTP’s main spokesperson, Muhammad Khorasani denied involvement of the group.

“Regarding the Peshawar incident, we consider it necessary to clarify that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has nothing to do with this incident,” TTP spokesperson said in a statement on late January 30. He asserted, “According to our laws and general constitution, any action in mosques, madrasas, funerals grounds and other sacred places is an offence.”

Nevertheless, Muhammad Khorasani has not yet clarified why the initial claims were made Put simply, the situation remains open-ended;

Pakistan authorities have not confirmed either claim and merely say an investigation is underway.5

The latest shockingly successful attack on a government compound that should have been one of the more secure parts of Peshawar has raised grave questions about Pakistan’s capability to oppose the militant threat more so as the Muslim-majority country of 220 million remains in the jaws of an economic catastrophe and a political stalemate. 6

The city of Peshawar is at the crucial geostrategic location because of its proximity to the Pashtun tribal districts of Pakistan and the neighbouring Afghanistan. The city has frequently been the site of attacks by terrorists. It’s been about 11 months since the last terrorist attack in Peshawar.

Previously in March, 2022, a bomb tore through a Shia mosque in Kocha Risaldar of Qissa Khawani Bazaar area of Peshawar, killing more than 50 people and injuring more than 100.  For this blast, Islamic State’s regional affiliate, Islamic State Khorasan, or ISIS-K, claimed responsibility. 7

Implementation of Sharia law, in its complete form both in the case of civil and criminal laws is the driving force behind TTP’s anti-state activities. Taliban is of the opinion that its armed struggle aims to create an Islamic political system in Pakistan based on the group’s interpretation of sharia, a mission it says was the main aim for establishing Pakistan in 1947.

Though the TTP outlined its militant campaign as a defensive war against Pakistan’s military operations, the group hoped to follow in the Afghan Taliban’s footsteps and create a sharia system in Pakistan, freeing the country from the “American stooges” who supposedly governed it.8

TTP leaders openly say that their group seeks to establish an Islamic caliphate in Pakistan that would require the overthrow of the Pakistani Government.9

Earlier, in 2014, TTP militants orchestrated the heinous attack on Army Public School in Peshawar, killing almost 150 teachers and students. The massacre sent shock waves across the country and turned many against the militants.10

It was the worst single terrorist attack in the history of a country that, according to the Global Terrorism Index, is the world’s most affected by terrorism after Iraq and Afghanistan.11

In 2013, a twin suicide bombing killed at least 78 people at All Saints Church in Peshawar, officials said, in what is believed to be the country’s deadliest attack on Christians.12

In 2009, a bomb exploded at the mausoleum of a 17th century Sufi poet Rehman Baba in Peshawar. The blast damaged one corner of the shrine, but no one was injured.13

Pakistani establishment in its ‘retaliatory’ move has conducted few military operations in the tribal belt of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).  Ops like Zarb-e-Azb and Radd- ul- Fasad did flash out the militants  but some of them ‘took shelter’ in the adjoining tribal areas of Afghanistan.

In the long run it is very well seen that the operations were a futile exercise, as the hydra of religious fanaticism has once again showed a new ‘head’ in the area.

It will not be wrong to say that Peshawar is a terror flashpoint of Pakistan. The city has seen series of deadly attacks in the past.

Its centrality in the terror infested zone of Pakistan and the close proximity in terms of religion, geography and culture with Afghanistan have proved fatal for the local people and Pakistani establishment alike.  

Since the Afghan Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, TTP has experienced a resurgence. The peace negotiations that collapsed in November were mediated by the new Kabul authorities, but there is now renewed worry that the armistice backfired and gave the TTP a chance to restore power.

The latest Peshawar attack indicates that the TTP is once again trying to get a foothold in Pakistan, initiating its activities from the lawless tribal zone of the country. It has displayed an unusual dare devilry with its suicide blast inside a heavily guarded zone. And clearly, TTP poses an open challenge to the security apparatus of Pakistan. And it is a grim reminder of the home truth, as articulated by Afghan Taliban regime that Pakistan cannot blame others for its own failures. (POREG)

** The writer is a regular contributor to Poreg

REFERENCES

1.https://www.geo.tv/latest/468059-blast-reported-in-peshawar
2 https://edition.cnn.com/2023/01/31/asia/pakistan-peshawar-mosque-blast-tuesday-intl-hnk/index.html
3 https://www.geo.tv/latest/468059-blast-reported-in-peshawar
4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF643Bpa_8M
5 https://edition.cnn.com/2023/01/31/asia/pakistan-peshawar-mosque-blast-tuesday-intl-hnk/index.html
6 https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/01/31/pakistan-peshawar-terrorist-mosque-bombing/
7 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/04/world/middleeast/pakistan-peshawar-mosque-explosion.html
8 https://carnegieendowment.org/2021/12/21/evolution-and-future-of-tehrik-e-taliban-pakistan-pub86051
9 https://www.dni.gov/nctc/groups/ttp.html
10 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/30/briefing/peshawar-pakistan-bombing-asia.html
11 https://time.com/3651854/pakistan-peshawar-school-terrorism-aftermath/
12 https://tribune.com.pk/story/607734/fifteen-dead-in-suicide-attack-outside-peshawar-church
13 https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna29528251