TERRORIST GROUPS
Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
( AS OF OCTOBER 2022 )
OVERVIEW
Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban, strives to remove the Pakistani Government from Pashtun tribal lands in the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province; implement its interpretation of Islamic law; and eventually make Pakistan an Islamic state. TTP formed in 2007 when several Pakistani extremist groups coalesced under the group’s now-deceased founder, Baitullah Mehsud. The group has killed tens of thousands of Pakistani citizens since its founding and claimed a failed bombing in New York City’s Times Square in 2010. TTP primarily recruits from the former FATA and finances its operations through donations, extortion, kidnappings, and natural resource extraction.
OPERATING AREA
Based primarily in eastern Afghanistan; conducts operations in Pakistan
MEMBERS
Approximately 2,500 to 6,000 fighters
TACTICS AND TARGETS
TTP employs assassinations, ambushes, bombings, military-style assaults, and suicide attacks. Since 2018, the group has focused most of its attacks on Pakistani security forces although it also attacks US targets, sectarian targets, government officials, politicians, and the general civilian population. TTP uses small arms, light and heavy machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, rockets, and IEDs to conduct attacks.
FOREIGN TERRORIST GROUP DESIGNATION
The US State Department designated TTP a foreign terrorist organization in 2010. In September 2019, the US State Department added TTP amir Noor Wali to its list of specially designated global terrorists.
KEY LEADERS
Noor Wali
a.k.a. Abu Mansur Asim
Amir since June 2018
Mufti Hazrat
a.k.a. Mufti Mazahim, Qari Amjad
Deputy amir since June 2018
NOTABLE ATTACKS
14 December 2014
Peshawar, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan
Six TTP members attack the Army Public School, killing 149, including 132 children, and wounding more than 100.
8 June 2014
Karachi, Sindh Province, Pakistan
Ten TTP members disguised as Airport Security Force members attack Jinnah International Airport, killing 34 and wounding dozens.
1 May 2010
New York City, New York, United States of America
TTP-trained and -financed operative Faisal Shahzad attempts to detonate a VBIED in Times Square. Shahzad attempts to flee the US two days after the failed attack and is detained by law enforcement.
5 April 2010
Peshawar, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan
At least five TTP members attack the US Consulate in Peshawar with a suicide VBIED, small arms, and RPGs, killing six and wounding 20.
30 December 2009
Khost Province, Afghanistan
A TTP-trained suicide bomber attacks a CIA base, killing seven CIA officers and one Jordanian intelligence officer.