The allure of violent extremism lies not just in its devastating effects, but in the way it cloaks itself in righteousness. How is it that two groups—Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP)—while seemingly at odds, operate in a shadowy symbiosis, committing barbaric acts while masquerading as adversaries? For nearly two decades, Pakistan has been in the throes of a war not against mere militants, but against Khawarij, a term referring to those who deviate from Islam to justify their reign of terror. Despite differing affiliations, TTP and ISKP are simply two faces of the same insurgent monster, bent on destruction under the guise of ideological purity.
The most recent activities from the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) in South Waziristan, including violence against polio workers and a tribal elders, have brought the problem of extremism back to the forefront of security discourse. While ISKP claims these attacks, there is a clear overlap with TTP’s objectives and tactics which reveals something more insidious: a synchronized network that works under the radar. Significant of this merger is the debutant Amir of ISKP, Hafiz Saeed, who previously commanded TTP. The boundaries between clusters are unclear from an ideological perspective, in addition to a logistical one, because militants and resources seamlessly flow across them. So, while they paint themselves as enemies of one another, the reality is far more sinister: they act as foreign substitutes, both designed to destabilize Pakistan. The foundation of this unholy association is the joined Khawariji ideology. TTP and ISKP both follow an incomplete twisted of Islam, backing inhuman and immoral practices. Their barbarism knows no bounds: butchering civilians, killing religious scholars, plus attacking mosques. Regardless of these terrible acts, both have worked to distort the public narrative and separate themselves from each other. ISKP openly strikes at Ulema and religious gatherings, in contrast to TTP, which asserts its actions are only against security forces, creating an appearance of a different modus operandi. In fact, they are working together, using ISKP as a facade to avoid public criticism of TTP’s more severe operations.
What is even more worrying is that ISKP has declared the Afghan Taliban an enemy which it despises and has a war against but is in a secret alliance with the TTP. There have never been any instances of conflict between TTP and ISKP. Both have safe heavens in Afghanistan which is quite telling given the facade of rivalry that exist between the two entities. Afghan Taliban leaders are assailed whilst TTP actors enjoy impunity, which gives rise to serious doubts that TTP uses ISKP in a Machiavellian manner, allowing ISKP to perpetrate violence while redirecting responsibility for the attack on Pakistan religious as well as temporal structures. In addition, the ugly truth about TTP and ISKP radicalization mill cannot be overemphasized. These groups exploit the vulnerable youth; forcing teenage bombers, how many times have their leaders set the example? The irony is striking: those who exalt the martyrdom and the beautiful act of blowing oneself up do not wear the suicide vests they encourage others to embrace. In this, both TTP and ISKP are alike, hand in gloves and being used by foreign hands involve in agendas to upset Pakistan.
The Khawariji ideology is not an abstract notion. Paigham-e-Pakistan fatwa stated armed struggle inside Pakistan as haram and has been labelled as a sinful act against the teachings of Islam by international scholars of Pakistan. The fatwa described herein is potent in exposing the intellectual nakedness of both TTP and ISKP in terms of theistic pretensions. Both groups act as proxy forces for enemies of Pakistan, and not as true Islamic movements. The aggressive activities that they conducted in the name of religion, by referential interpretation of the Holy Scriptures, are quite the opposite of Islam’s teachings, which are honoring the non-violence. For the people of Pakistan, the fight against these Khawariji terrorists is not only a military one but faith and culture war. The TTP and ISKP both have active presence in Afghanistan which was even evidenced by several reports by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and several Western based organizations and think tanks. However, the global community needs to understand that these are not two distinct groups, but two parts of the same malignant tumor. This ruling duo’s relations pose not only a threat to the political stability of Pakistan but the whole of South Asia as well. Therefore, is it possible to distinguish between TTP and ISKP In the best case, the difference is merely nominal. Both share the same Khawariji ideology, promote identical methods of terror, and operate with a shared objective: the repercussions of which include the destabilization of Pakistan. Their strategies could vary but the end they have in mind and the foreign support they enjoy are one and the same: they are both bloody terrorists. The world has to understand this connection and/or relationship and respond appropriately. Islam has not withdrawn its forces from the battle against Khawarij, and Pakistan remains the first line of defense in this war.
