Drones in Hands of TTP: New Nightmare for Pakistan

DIDPress: The Pakistani Taliban (TTP), previously known for guerrilla warfare, suicide attacks, and small-scale operations, has now acquired drone technology – a development that poses a serious threat to Pakistan’s security and even regional stability.

Strategic Shift in Terror Tactics
Muhammad Hussein Bagheri, director of the Iqbal think tank, wrote in an analytical article that after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul, the TTP has exploited the security vacuum to establish safe havens in Afghanistan and intensified operations in border regions, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

He emphasized that two drone attacks in North and South Waziristan in spring 2025 clearly demonstrate the group’s new military capabilities. According to Pakistan’s military reports, the drones used in these attacks benefited from foreign funding, particularly from India.

Bagheri argues that terrorist groups like the TTP using drones transforms battlefield dynamics, creating an unpredictable and widespread threat. These tools are not only inexpensive but also enable precise strikes without direct engagement.

Alarming Statistics
A 2024 report by the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) reveals a 70% increase in terrorist attacks compared to the previous year, resulting in 851 deaths – over 95% of which occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.

Strategic Implications
The TTP’s tactical evolution from traditional methods to advanced technologies like drones represents a strategic threat to Pakistan and international security. The author contends that Pakistani security institutions must urgently reevaluate their strategies against this modern threat.