Pakistan Grapples with Deadly Resurgence of Taliban Amid Rising Violence

Pakistan is witnessing a sharp resurgence of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has intensified attacks across the northwestern provinces, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and North Waziristan, creating an environment of fear reminiscent of the group’s peak years. The insurgents have exploited the porous border with Afghanistan, where the Taliban’s return to power in 2021 has provided them with a safe haven and operational support.

According to security analysts, over 600 attacks linked to the TTP have occurred in 2025 alone, resulting in more than 2,500 deaths. The violence has targeted security forces, police personnel, and civilians, with a series of high-profile attacks, including suicide bombings on army convoys and assaults on federal installations. Local residents report that militants now operate openly, establishing checkpoints, extorting businesses, and moving freely through towns. Many small businesses have been forced to close due to relentless demands for money from insurgents.

The Pakistani military has launched airstrikes and ground operations to combat the TTP threat. However, some operations have inadvertently caused civilian casualties, further fueling local resentment and complicating counterterrorism efforts. In North Waziristan, recent airstrikes reportedly killed dozens of civilians, including children, drawing comparisons to the traumatic years of U.S.-led drone campaigns in the region.

Experts attribute the Taliban’s resurgence to multiple factors: the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan border providing sanctuary, ongoing political instability in Pakistan, and declining trust in the central government. The incarceration of prominent political figures has further created a vacuum that militants are exploiting to expand their influence.

The growing violence poses a significant challenge to Pakistan’s security apparatus, threatening regional stability. Observers warn that without a comprehensive approach that combines military action, political engagement, and local support, the country risks a prolonged insurgency reminiscent of the earlier years of the Taliban insurgency. The unfolding situation underscores the enduring challenges of counterterrorism in South Asia.