Counter-terrorism operation involves Afghan leader’s son

During a counter-terrorism operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on 31 January, Pakistani security forces eliminated four terrorists from Fitnah Al Khawarij (a term used by the state to refer to the TTP), including Badaruddin alias Yousaf, the son of the deputy governor of Afghanistan’s Badghis province. The intelligence-led operation resulted in the recovery of sophisticated US-made military equipment. Islamabad reiterated its concerns about the use of Afghan territory by the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to plan attacks against Pakistan, allegations denied by Kabul. According to local sources, the Afghan authorities have refused to receive Badaruddin’s body. As stated by media sources, Badaruddin had undergone training at an Afghan Taliban training centre before joining the TTP. Furthermore, he is reported to have been directly implicated in the recent series of terrorist attacks that have occurred from Afghanistan to Pakistan. Defence analysts quoted by Pakistani media claim that the presence of the son of a senior Afghan official among the slain militants proves the link between the Afghan Taliban and the TTP. Pakistan has seen a significant increase in terrorist attacks since the TTP ceasefire broke down. In 2024, 444 attacks were recorded, making it the deadliest year for Pakistani security forces in the last decade.