New Delhi: The ongoing conflict between Pakistani security forces and the TTP witnessed a major escalation after the militant group abducted 18 nuclear scientists from the neighbouring country and released a video of them being held hostage to press Islamabad to meet their demands.
Reports suggest that TTP militants have also looted a significant cache of uranium from Pakistan’s largest uranium mine.
A video circulating on social media shows a group of employees, reportedly engineers from the Qabul Khel Atomic Energy mining project in Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, pleading with the Pakistani government to ensure their safety by meeting the demands of the TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan).
TTP has released an exclusive video of the abducted employees of Atomic Energy. The 16-18 employees were abducted, who were working in the Qabul Khel Atomic Energy mining project in Lakki Marwat. The armed man has also ablazed the company’s staff vehicle. pic.twitter.com/3Uq7jhSGkI
— Jawad Yousafzai (@JawadYousufxai) January 9, 2025
The TTP, also known as the Pakistani Taliban, has released a video showing the kidnapped nuclear scientists from the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission appealing to the government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, to secure their release by complying with the group’s demands.
In a statement, the TTP claimed they have “detained” the nuclear engineers not to harm them but to pressure Islamabad into meeting their conditions, which include halting the Pakistan Army’s military operations against TTP fighters.
Pakistan-TTP conflict history
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated in recent weeks, particularly following a series of airstrikes carried out by Pakistan on Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants inside Afghanistan. In retaliation, the TTP launched a series of attacks on the Pakistani army, resulting in several casualties, including a Major rank officer.
However, the Taliban’s Ministry of Defence has disputed the Pakistani claims, asserting that the airstrikes also hit “Waziristani refugees” and were not solely aimed at militants. This escalation in violence has further strained relations between the two countries, with the Taliban warning of retaliation.
What is TTP
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban, is an umbrella organization of various Islamist militant groups formed in 2007 by Baitullah Mehsud. It is an offshoot of the Afghan Taliban and shares a similar ideology, with the Afghan Taliban reportedly assisting the TTP in its fight against the Pakistani government between 2001 and 2021.
The TTP aims to resist the Pakistani state, overthrow the government, and impose Sharia law in the country. In recent months, it has stepped up attacks on Pakistani forces, with Pakistan accusing the Afghan Taliban of providing shelter to TTP militants. The Afghan Taliban has denied these allegations, insisting that it is not collaborating with the group.
