Hafiz Gul Bahadur: Who is Hafiz Gul Bahadur, the militant leader who ignited war between Pakistan-Afghanistan?

Hafiz Gul Bahadur, a big determine within the latest Pakistan-Afghanistan border tensions, is a fancy character with a historical past deeply intertwined with militant actions within the area. In the course of the latest escalation between the 2 nations, Pakistan’s navy performed air strikes on border areas of Afghanistan, ensuing within the dying of eight civilians. The Afghan Taliban condemned these strikes as “reckless,” resulting in elevated hostilities between the 2 nations.

Afghanistan retaliated by concentrating on Pakistan’s navy posts with heavy weapons, sparking cross-border skirmishes. This surge in violence is a part of ongoing disputes for the reason that Taliban’s rise to energy in 2021, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan of harboring militants launching assaults from its soil.

Cross-Border Skirmishes and Escalating TensionsAfghanistan’s protection ministry has reported that its border forces retaliated towards Pakistan’s navy by concentrating on their posts with heavy weapons. This motion got here amidst a collection of incidents alongside the disputed border, together with cross-border skirmishes reported by either side on Monday.

Ongoing Disputes and AllegationsThe latest escalation is a part of ongoing disputes for the reason that Taliban’s rise to energy in 2021. Islamabad has constantly alleged that militant factions, together with the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, a faction of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have been launching assaults from Afghan soil.

Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorist OperationsPakistan’s international ministry has acknowledged conducting “anti-terrorist operations” concentrating on the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group. They attribute the surge in violence alongside the border to this faction, identified for its opposition to Pakistani state forces.The “Good Taliban Gone Unhealthy” PhenomenonA report in Daybreak describes Bahadur’s group for example of “Good Taliban gone unhealthy.” Pakistan had categorized Taliban militants based mostly on their actions: these not attacking Pakistani forces had been deemed “good Taliban,” whereas these concentrating on each US and Pakistani forces had been labeled “unhealthy Taliban.” Now, lots of the “good Taliban” have turned towards Pakistan, illustrating the complexities and challenges in coping with militant teams within the area.

Understanding his background sheds gentle on the dynamics fueling the present clashes between the 2 nations.

Who’s Hafiz Gul Bahadur?

Early Life and Militant BeginningsBahadur’s adolescence is shrouded in thriller, however experiences counsel his preliminary foray into politics was by means of the scholar wing of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Fazl (JUI-F). Like many militants within the area, he fought alongside the Afghan Taliban towards the Northern Alliance, doubtless underneath the Haqqani Community’s umbrella in Miran Shah for the reason that Nineties.

Put up-2001 DynamicsFollowing the US-led intervention in Afghanistan in 2001, Bahadur and native militants offered refuge to varied factions in Pakistan’s tribal belts, significantly in North Waziristan. This marked the start of Bahadur’s rise as a outstanding determine within the area’s militant panorama.

Battle and AlliancesDespite preliminary resistance to expel international militants post-2001, Bahadur finally struck a peace cope with the Pakistani authorities in 2006. This transfer, nevertheless, led to friction with factions just like the Islamic Motion of Uzbekistan (IMU), though it solidified Bahadur’s place as a key Taliban chief.

Pakistan’s Shifting Method to Militancy in North Waziristan

Following the occasions of 2001, Pakistan initially adopted a passive stance in the direction of militants coming into North Waziristan. Nevertheless, this modified dramatically after two assassination makes an attempt on President Musharraf, prompting Pakistan to launch navy campaigns in 2004.

Unintended ConsequencesDespite aiming to quell militant actions, these navy efforts inadvertently unified the militants, strengthening their resistance towards native governance buildings. The scenario worsened with the elimination of native Taliban determine Nek Muhammad in 2004, resulting in an escalation of battle past the Wana and Shakai areas.

Altering AlliancesInitially, Bahadur and his deputy, Maulvi Sadiq Noor, resisted makes an attempt to expel international militants. Nevertheless, by 2006, Bahadur’s strategy shifted, leading to a peace pact with the Pakistani authorities. This transfer alienated sure international militant factions, together with the Islamic Motion of Uzbekistan (IMU), which accused Bahadur of betrayal.

Put up-Settlement DevelopmentsAfter the peace settlement, Bahadur established a Shura council to manipulate the area, imposing taxes and penalties. This signaled a type of collaboration with Pakistani authorities, successfully establishing him as an area Taliban chief in North Waziristan.

Present Standing and InfluenceBahadur’s group, whereas sustaining a separate identification, continues to have ties with the Afghan Taliban. They’re reportedly working a coaching facility in Dattakhel for suicide bombers concentrating on Afghanistan. Consultants counsel that regardless of his group’s distinctiveness, it advantages from connections to influential teams such because the Haqqani Community and Al Qaeda.

“In response to militancy specialists, Bahadur’s group continues to learn from its ties to influential teams such because the Haqqani Community, Al Qaeda, and even the TTP, regardless of sustaining a separate identification,” stated a Daybreak report.

(With inputs from TOI)