TTP's presence grows in Gilgit Baltistan: Report

Amid Pakistan's failure to stop the resurgence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) is witnessing the growing influence and activity of the Islamic group.

The TTP has already made its presence felt both in Gilgit-Baltistan, once part of Jammu and Kashmir illegally occupied by Pakistan, and in the neighbouring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Al Arabiya Post reported.

The issue of raising militancy in Gilgit-Baltistan came to light in October when TTP briefly 'abducted' a minister.

Even though the Minister was released following talks, the incident reflected the growing influence of the TTP in Gilgit Baltistan in the occupied region, according to the Al Arabiya Post.

Besides Gilgit Baltistan, militancy's resurgence is witnessed in other parts of Pakistan.

Earlier this month, eight security personnel were killed in two separate incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The security personnel killed in Lakki Marwat and Bajaur districts included six policemen and two soldiers, the Dawn newspaper reported.

The first incident, which was claimed by outlawed TTP, occurred in the Lakki Marwat's Kurrum Par area when militants opened fire on a police van, killing six personnel. In a separate incident, two soldiers and a militant were killed in a clash near the Pak-Afghan border area in the Charmang region of the Bajaur district.

Following the Lakki Marwat attack, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif admitted that terrorism continues to be one of Pakistan's foremost problems.

"Let us make no mistake. Terrorism continues to be one of Pakistan's foremost problems. Our armed forces & police have valiantly fought the scourge. No words are enough to condemn terrorists' attack on a police van in Lakki Marwat. My thoughts and prayers are with bereaved families," Sharif tweeted.

Pakistan Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah also condemned the attack on the police personnel in Lakki Marwat. The federal minister said he sought a report from the Chief Secretary and IG Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of the incident.

( With inputs from ANI )

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