The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), in its annual report, claimed responsibility for 881 attacks across Pakistan in 2023, resulting in the deaths of over 2,193 Pakistani soldiers.
This figure marks a significant increase from 2022, where around 367 attacks were recorded.
The report, obtained by Afghanistan International Pashto, indicates a doubling of TTP's activities compared to the previous year. North and South Waziristan were the most targeted areas, with 208 and 152 incidents respectively, including five suicide bombings. Peshawar witnessed 57 attacks, whilst 40 occurred in Balochistan. Notably, attacks in Punjab rose from 5 in 2022 to 10 in 2023.
Ehsanullah Ehsan, TTP's spokesperson, conveyed to Afghanistan International that their attacks surged by 100% in 2023 and continue to grow. He also noted a rise in recruitment, with many young Pakistanis from schools and universities expressing interest in joining TTP.
In response, the Pakistan Army reported conducting 18,736 military operations in 2023, eliminating 565 militants. However, the Army also acknowledged significant losses, with over a thousand casualties including 260 officers and soldiers due to terrorist attacks.
The Pakistani government has previously attributed the escalation of TTP's activities to their access to advanced weaponry following the Taliban's ascent to power in Afghanistan. Additionally, Pakistan asserts that TTP's leadership orchestrates these attacks from within Afghanistan.
