SUDDEN twin problems with the TLP and Afghanistan have ended the post-May lull in crises. The aura of power and progress built on the gains in May and risky foreign deals has vanished to expose the risks that the TTP, BLA and the TLP pose.

The TTP espouses extremism. Its agenda does not arise from the public’s discontent. It shuns legal politics to use force. We erred by talking to it. We now err in how we fight it. Instead of air and land salvos that also hit the local people, we must use precise commando attacks. No faction should be spared and the border must be secured — but only against TTP movement, to allow the local people to carry on with daily business and boost their incomes.

We’ve asked the Afghan Taliban to banish the TTP, but they echo what we used to tell past Afghan rulers about our ex-ally: they aren’t here, it’s your war, we are busy with ours. The US spent billions to crush them but lost after 20 years. Post-2021, however, the Taliban’s erstwhile host is witnessing even more pro-TTP Afghan rulers. They’re now good with all their past foes — Russia, Central Asian states, Iran, India and even the US — but fight their (past) ally. The gods fulfil dreams only to turn them into nightmares.

Cross-border conflicts have legal issues........

© Dawn