The TTP challenge in Pakistan: role of legitimacy and its impact on securitisation process and counterinsurgency efforts

Since the return of the Taliban in Afghanistan, Pakistan has witnessed an alarming increase in terrorist violence. In 2024, 1,166 incidents were reported, which killed 2,546 people. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, which shares a border with Afghanistan, experienced most of the fatalities, where the terrorist conglomerate – the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has re-emerged. The government and security forces repeatedly framed the TTP as an existential threat to the country’s security, requiring extraordinary measures. However, these securitisation efforts have faced strong resistance. This article investigates why the audiences are resisting and how their lack of acceptance affects subsequent counterinsurgency measures.