Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa explained

Conflict:	Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Partof:	the war on terror and the spillover of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Date:	16 March 2004present ---- First phase: 16 March 2004 – 22 February 2017 Second phase: 23 February 2017 – present
Place:	Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (including the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas), Pakistan
Status:	Ongoing (Low-level insurgency)^[1]
Combatant1:	Pakistan Pakistan Armed Forces Civil Armed Forces Frontier Corps Frontier Constabulary Pakistan Rangers Pakistani Intelligence Community Pakistan Police Counter Terrorism Department ---- United States (see Drone strikes in Pakistan, until 2018)
Combatant2:	Jihadist insurgents Pakistani Taliban Jamaat-ul-Ahrar Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi Lashkar-e-Islam al-Qaeda Lashkar-e-Jhangvi ----Supported by: (denied by Afghanistan)^[2] ^[3] ^[4] ----ISIL-aligned groups: Khorasan Province Jundallah^[5] Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan Jamaat-ul-Ahrar
Commander1:	Asif Ali Zardari(2024–present) Asim Munir (2022–present) Former military commanders Ashfaq Kayani Raheel Sharif Qamar Javed Bajwa Masood Aslam Tariq Khan Sanaullah Khan Niazi Mushtaq Ahmed Baig Ameer Faisal Alavi Colonel Imam Rao Qamar Suleman Tahir Rafique Butt Former head of states Pervez Musharraf (until 2008) Asif Ali Zardari (2008–2013) Mamnoon Hussain (2013–2018) Arif Alvi(2018–2024) Former army officers Colonel Mujib-ur-Rehman Lt. Col. Muhammad Hassan Haider Lt. Col. Haroon-ul-Islam Capt. Wali Wazir^[6] Capt. Akash Rabbani^[7] Capt. Saad Bin Amir^[8] Lt. Nasir Khalid^[9] Capt. Abdullah Zafar^[10] Capt. Muhammad Sabih^[11] Lt. Agha Muqadas^[12] Major Abdullah Shah^[13]
Commander2:	Noor Wali Mehsud Maulana Fazlullah Khan Said 'Sajna' Adnan Rashid Mangal Bagh Hakimullah Mehsud Abdullah Mehsud Baitullah Mehsud Maulvi Nazir Hafiz Gul Bahadur Omar Khalid Khorasani^[14] Khalid Balti Azam Tariq Shahidullah Shahid Mullah Dadullah Wali-ur-Rehman Qari Hussain Faqir Mohammed^[15] Maulvi Omar Muslim Khan Hayatullah Shah Dauran Sher Muhammad Qusab Nek Muhammad Wazir Abdul Rashid Ghazi Sufi Muhammad^[16] al-Qaeda Ayman al-Zawahiri Osama bin Laden Ilyas Kashmiri Mohammad Hasan Khalil al-Hakim Atiyah Abd al-Rahman Abu Laith al-Libi Abu Yahya al-Libi Abu-Zaid al Kuwaiti Saeed al-Masri Fahid Mohammed Ally Msalam Sheikh Ahmed Salim Swedan Sheikh Fateh^[17] Adnan Gulshair el Shukrijumah^[18] Asim Umar Khalid Sheikh Mohammed Abu Faraj al-Libbi Ramzi bin al-Shibh Abu Zubaydah---- ISIL Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Hafiz Saeed Khan^[19] Abdul Rahman Ghaleb Abdul Rahim Muslim Dost (2014–2015)^[20] ^[21] Usman Ghazi^[22] IMU Group Usman Ghazi Tohir Yuldashev Najmiddin Jalolov Abu Usman Adil---- ETIM Group Emeti Yakov Memetimin Memet
Strength1:	Pakistan 200,000 Pakistani troops^[23] ^[24] Unknown no. of air squadrons of Navy and Pakistan Air Force fighter jets, including JF-17 and F-16 jets^[25] ~10,000 Frontier Corps----United States UAV drones CIA operatives U.S. Special Operations Forces^[26]
Strength2:	~25,000 TTP militia^[27] ~2,000 Lashkar-e-Islam militia^[28] ~1,000 TNSM militia^[29] 300–3,000 al-Qaeda militants^[30] ---- Jundallah: 12,000–20,000 (disputed) IMU: 500–1,000^[31]
Casualties1:	Pakistan: 4,631 soldiers and LEAs killed (per SATP) 8,214 killed soldiers and LEAs and 14,583 wounded (per the Watson Institute; by mid-2016)^[32] ----United States: 15 soldiers killed (2010)^[33]
Casualties2:	29,398 militants killed (per SATP) 31,000 killed (per the Watson Institute; by mid-2016)
Casualties3:	9,394 civilians and 1,946 unidentified killed (per SATP) 22,100 civilians killed (per the Watson Institute; by mid-2016) 46,872 killed overall (per SATP) 61,549 killed overall (per the Watson Institute; by mid-2016) 41,819 killed overall all over Pakistan (Uppsala Conflict Data Program; 1989–2019)^[34] ----Over 3.44 million civilians displaced (2009)^[35] Over 6 million civilians displaced (2003–2019)^[36]
Naval Chief]]'''≪Br /≫[[Muhammad Zakaullah]] (2014–Present)≪Br /≫[[Afzal Tahir]] (2005–08)≪Br /≫[[Noman Bashir]]≪Ref Name:	"The New York Times, ROBERT MACKEY">News: ROBERT MACKEY. Before Attack, Pakistan's Navy Boasted of Role in Fight Against Taliban. 13 November 2012. The New York Times, ROBERT MACKEY. 23 May 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120617162912/http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/23/before-attack-pakistans-navy-boasted-of-role-in-fight-against-taliban/. 17 June 2012. dead. (2008–11)
Territory:	Pakistan gains control of previously ungoverned Tribal Areas^[37] ^[38]

Notes and References

1. 10.1080/09592318.2016.1266128 . 28 . Counter-Insurgency in Pakistan: The Role of Legitimacy . 2017 . Small Wars & Insurgencies . 166–190 . Lieven . Anatol. 151355749 .
2. Web site: U.S. Disrupts Afghans' Tack on Militants . The New York Times . 2013-10-28.
3. Web site: UN: Al-Qaida, Afghan Taliban Assist TTP With Attacks in Pakistan . Voice of America . 2024-02-01.
4. Web site: As Pakistan's Afghanistan policy fails, the Afghan Taliban moves against Islamabad . Atlantic Council . 2022-09-06.
5. News: Pakistan Taliban splinter group vows allegiance to Islamic State. Reuters. 18 November 2014. 19 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141119133153/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/18/us-pakistan-militants-is-idUSKCN0J20YQ20141118. 19 November 2014. live.
6. Web site: Peshawar corps commander pays tribute to fallen captain . 9 September 2022 .
7. Web site: Capt Akash laid to rest with military honours . 17 July 2014 .
8. Web site: Six troops martyred foiling terrorist attempt in Tank . 30 March 2022 .
9. Web site: Shaheed Lt. Nasir Khalid laid to rest with full military honours | Dunya News . 14 February 2008 .
10. Web site: Army officer martyred in South Waziristan ambush . 28 September 2020 .
11. Web site: Captain among two soldiers martyred in terrorist attack . 21 June 2020 .
12. Web site: Martyr Lieutenant Agha Muqaddas laid to rest . 20 March 2020 .
13. Web site: Pakistan Army Major, 3 Soldiers Killed in Latest Militant Attacks . 6 July 2023 .
14. Web site: Top Pakistan Taliban leader killed in Afghanistan roadside attack. . en . 8 August 2022.
15. News: Former Pakistani Taliban No 2 arrested in Afghanistan: Reports . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130219180624/http://dawn.com/2013/02/18/former-pakistani-taliban-no-2-arrested-in-afghanistan-reports/ . 19 February 2013 .
16. Web site: Taliban leader killed in firefight with police. Express Tribune. 26 August 2010. 26 March 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20101030005257/http://tribune.com.pk/story/43000/taliban-leader-killed-in-firefight-with-police/. 30 October 2010. live.
17. News: US missile strike 'kills al-Qaeda chief' in Pakistan . BBC News . 28 September 2010 . 21 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181223122308/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11429016 . 23 December 2018 . live . dmy-all .
18. News: Pakistan kills al Qaeda leader on FBI most wanted list. Sophia Saifi, Ben Brumfield and Susan Candiotti. 6 December 2014. CNN. 6 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150726011009/http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/06/world/asia/pakistan-al-qaeda-death/index.html?iref=allsearch. 26 July 2015. live.
19. Web site: What Happened to ISIS's Afghanistan-Pakistan Province?. Arif Rafiq. The Diplomat. 2 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160203091129/https://thediplomat.com/2016/02/what-happened-to-isiss-afghanistan-pakistan-province/. 3 February 2016. live.
20. Web site: Released Gitmo detainee joins ISISNov. 19, 2014 – 2:30 – Former Taliban commander named chief of ISIS in Khorasa. fox news. 23 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20150128061106/http://video.foxnews.com/v/3899320881001/released-gitmo-detainee-joins-isis/?intcmp=ob_article_sidebar_video&intcmp=obnetwork#sp=show-clips. 28 January 2015. live.
21. News: Local support for dreaded Islamic State growing in Pakistan: Report. The Times of India. 23 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141117155359/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Local-support-for-dreaded-Islamic-State-growing-in-Pakistan-Report/articleshow/45149421.cms. 17 November 2014. live.
22. Web site: IMU announces death of emir, names new leader. The Long War Journal. 4 August 2014. 2 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150604163346/http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/08/imu_announces_death_1.php. 4 June 2015. live.
23. News: Khalid. M Saeed. The on-off partnership. 20 September 2017. The News International. 10 September 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170919222801/https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/228894-The-on-off-partnership. 19 September 2017. live.
24. News: Pentagon chief defends arms sales to India, Pakistan . Los Angeles Times . 23 January 2010 . 26 March 2011 . Julian E. . Barnes . https://web.archive.org/web/20100126081338/http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-fg-gates23-2010jan23,0,6998676.story . 26 January 2010 . live.
25. Web site: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia Cleared for U.S. Arms Buys . Armscontrol.org . 11 September 2001 . 17 December 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120406204918/http://www.armscontrol.org/print/2096 . 6 April 2012 .
26. Web site: American Dead in Pakistan Bombing Were Special Forces – ABC News . ABC . USA . 3 February 2010 . 26 March 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110125222812/https://abcnews.go.com/International/us-military-die-pakistan-bombing/story?id=9734681 . 25 January 2011 . live.
27. News: Bennett-Jones. Owen. Pakistan army eyes Taliban talks with unease. 4 July 2014. BBC News. 25 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140704104228/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27133865. 4 July 2014. live.
28. News: A Profile of Mangal Bagh . TheLongWarJournal . 24 December 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130124030504/http://www.longwarjournal.org/multimedia/Mangal-Bagh-Profile.pdf . 24 January 2013 . live.
29. News: Pak Taliban claims to be using Afghan soil . Rediff News . 26 June 2012 . 24 December 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130224020801/http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pak-taliban-claims-to-be-using-afghan-soil/20120626.htm . 24 February 2013 . live.
30. Web site: Al-Qaeda map: Isis, Boko Haram and other affiliates' strongholds across Africa and Asia . 12 June 2014 . 29 August 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140829124058/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/al-qaeda/10893889/Al-Qaeda-map-Isis-Boko-Haram-and-other-affiliates-strongholds-across-Africa-and-Asia.html . 29 August 2014 . live.
31. https://web.archive.org/web/20061213131934/http://www.mipt.org/pdf/TerroristOrganizationReferenceGuide.pdf Terrorist Organizations Reference Guide
32. Web site: Crawford. Neta C.. Update on the Human Costs of War for Afghanistan and Pakistan, 2001 to mid-2016. Brown University. Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs. 20 September 2017. The war in Pakistan, which began as Al Qaeda and the Taliban fled from Afghanistan into the northwest region of Pakistan in 2001, has caused almost 62,000 deaths and an additional 67,000 injuries.. https://web.archive.org/web/20170908000946/http://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/files/cow/imce/papers/2016/War%20in%20Afghanistan%20and%20Pakistan%20UPDATE_FINAL_corrected%20date.pdf. 8 September 2017. live.
33. Web site: U.S. Fatalities in and around Afghanistan . iCasualties . 9 September 2005 . 4 July 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100406083558/http://icasualties.org/oef/ . 6 April 2010.
34. Web site: Database – Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP). 23 May 2019.
35. News: Red Cross 'gravely concerned' about conditions in Swat Valley . CNN . 31 May 2009 . 26 March 2011 . Pakistan's Swat Valley, where a month long offensive against the Taliban has displaced more than 2 million civilians. . https://web.archive.org/web/20131029211024/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/31/pakistan.red.cross/index.html . 29 October 2013 . live.
36. News: In source: "A majority of the more than 70,000-plus civilians killed in this violence were Pashtuns, while more than 6 million members of the ethnic group have endured displacement since the onset of conflict in 2003.". Rfe/Rl . 27 May 2019 . Gandhara. 27 May 2019.
37. Roul, A. (2016). How Operation Zarb-e-Azb Changed Pakistan’s Tribal Areas. Jamestown Foundation Terrorism Monitor, 14(12), 5-7.
38. Khan, S.R. and Khan, A. (2020). From War to Peace: The Challenges and Opportunities in Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism Environment Post Operation Zarb-e-Azb. Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism, 15(2), 121-139