Pakistan: The Escalating Turf War Among TTP Factions – OpEd
The recent developments within the ranks of the Pakistani Taliban, encompassing a geographical turf war and race for dominance through forging alliances, indicate a power struggle among different factions. This tug of war is particularly pronounced between two terrorist groups viz the Tehreek Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Hafiz Gul Bahadur (HGB) group; signifying the increasing differences between the TTP leader Noor Wali Mehsud and his rival commander, Hafiz Gul Bahadur (Mehsud Vs Wazir tussle).
The differences among the rival terrorist factions (termed as Khawarij by Pakistan) came into lime light when Ali Dawar, head of Jaish-e-Umeri faction, affiliated with Hafiz Gul Bahadur (HGB) group, recently pledged allegiance to Noor Wali Mehsud and merged his terrorist group with TTP. Ali Dawar, was also appointed later to the leadership council of TTP. This development is a serious below to HGB group as Ali Dawar is an influential terrorist commander in North Waziristan. Additionally, the event can also be seen as a territorial encroachment by the Noor Wali led TTP (Mehsud clan dominated group) into the operational areas of HGB group (Wazir clan dominated faction). Interestingly, Hafiz Gull Bahadar had earlier resisted merging his group with TTP in spite of Noor Wali’s persuasions, however this time the TTP leader managed to influence an important faction of HGB group to side with him.
The HGB group reacted with an equally significant counter move. First, by forming an alliance with Lashkar-e-Islam, a terrorist faction led by Mangal Bagh from Khyber tribal district; Second, by plucking away a couple of TTP affiliated factions. The forging of new alliances by HGB is seen as a tit-for-tat response to TTP’s transgression into HGB group’s dominated areas.
While the formation of new alliances among factions may seem to reflect internal divisions within the Pakistani Taliban groups, the rivalry between TTP and HGB has a significant historical backdrop. The Mehsud and Wazir clans, which inhibit the border regions in North and South Waziristan, have long-standing differences that have shaped their relationship with each other. Both the clans jealously safeguard their distinct tribal and geographical identities. As a Mehsud, the TTP leader – Noor Wali has consistently pursued Mehsud dominance within the TTP’s ranks. His recent actions, including targeting the HGB group, can be seen as part of this strategy to consolidate power. Last year, another terrorist group (Jumat-ul-Ahrar – JuA), had also developed difference with Noor Wali Mehsud and had blamed him openly for conspiring the killing of their leader – Umar Khalid Khorasani. JuA later reconciled with TTP which some security experts attributed to the efforts of Afghan Taliban to unify TTP against Pakistan in view of the deteriorating bilateral relations.
In this background, Noor Wali’s strategy seems focused on strengthening the TTP’s terrorist activities throughout the Pakistan’s tribal districts that border Afghanistan. He has demonstrated a readiness to use both cunning tactics and aggressive force against competitors, including the betrayal of former allies, to accomplish this goal. Ironically, TTP and other terrorist factions justify its actions under the banner of Islam, yet they starkly contradict Islamic principles and teachings. Noor Wali’s use of deception and ruthless tactics amply highlights this factor. The Pakistani State, in this context, has always maintained that TTP’s activities are un-Islamic and has declared TTP as Khawarij (“seceders” or “rebels” from Islam).
The intensifying rivalry between TTP factions reflects not only tribal and historical grievances but also the broader struggle for influence in Pakistan’s volatile tribal regions. These internal conflicts continue to shape the trajectory of terrorism in the region, with implications for both local and international security. However, the encouraging sign is the continuous efforts of Pakistani Security Forces against TTP and its affiliates. In 2024, a total of 923 TTP terrorists were killed by the Security Forces. TTP is confronted with a firm resolve and commitment of the State. While challenges are immense especially with respect to the TTP safe haven in Afghanistan, the Pakistani security official exhibit confidence to surmount the challenges posed by terrorism to the country as well as to the region.
