Terror Group Pakistan Taliban Launches New Wing 'Istrna', Sets Sights on Punjab Province

The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has launched a new wing named Istrna which is composed of highly-trained, well-equipped and ferocious militants which will specifically target Punjab province’s law enforcement and army officials stationed there.

Pakistani officials suspect that the new faction has connections with a terrorist group based in a neighbouring country. The developments were first reported by Pakistan-based news outlet the Dawn.

Three checkposts in Dera Ghazi Khan named Lakhani, Jhangi and Triman which are located in areas populated by tribal communities have become vulnerable because of the new wing. The new threat has forced armed forces and civilian agencies to develop a strategy to combat the new wing. The new wing has already begun deadly attacks on law enforcement officials in Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

The group has also threatened the local tribal population in the area. The group was initially composed of 10 to 12 terrorists but has now increased its strength to 50. It now aims to rope in members of the notorious Ladi criminal gang in Kutcha area and has sought their help to target police check posts.

TTP’s new wing also used some local hostages as human shields to enter the Dera Ghazi Khan territory and entered the Dera Ghazi Khan territory to carry out an attack on the Jhangi border post of Vohawa police station in Taunsa Circle last week.

The police were caught off-guard by the group.

Some members of the tribal community from the region have been accused of providing food supplies to these terrorists.

The Pakistan Army has increased its presence in the Dera Ismail Khan’s troubled areas to counter the TTP wing while also combatting Baloch separatists in the region. An official from the Punjab Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Wasim Sial, said the attack on Jhangi checkpost has exposed the weakness of the local police and the terrorists appear to be better equipped and are armed with modern weapons. They are trying to procure new Armoured Personnel Carrier (APCs) to replace the old ones for safe transportation of policemen to the combat zones and check infiltration attempts.