Nadir
Mehsud was just seven years old when his father, Ali Mehsud, was
recruited by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to join the
burgeoning Taliban movement in 1979. Hailing from North Waziristan's
conservative Pashtun culture, Ali answered the call to jihad, joining an
army of young militants to fight against the Soviet invasion of
Afghanistan. Trained by the CIA and ISI, thousands of Pashtun fighters
like Ali were armed with sophisticated American weaponry and
indoctrinated under the banner of Islamic nationalism and defeating the
Soviet invaders. Their efforts wreaked havoc on the Soviet forces,
ultimately contributing to the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
However,
the tides turned abruptly when Pakistan and the US abandoned the
Taliban following their victory over the Soviets. The promised support
vanished, leaving a trail of disillusionment and chaos in its wake. For
Nadir, growing up under the shadow of his father’s pride in the struggle
against the Soviets, the lure of the battlefield was irresistible. In
1988, at the age of 16, he joined the Taliban forces, seeking the same
glory he had seen in his father’s eyes. Four years later, he took up
arms against US forces occupying Afghanistan after 9/11. Nadir’s life
came to a violent end during an ambush in Kandahar province.
The
cycle of conflict didn’t stop there. Nadir’s children, shaped by the
same legacy of militancy, joined the ranks of the Tehrik-i-Taliban
Pakistan (TTP). On Jan. 9, his eldest son, Bilal Mehsud, was among the
TTP militants who made international headlines by kidnapping 16
officials from Pakistan’s Atomic Energy Commission (AEC).
The
abductions, including two senior engineers and a nuclear scientist from
the AEC, has sent shock waves through Islamabad, Beijing and
Washington. The daring kidnapping, which unfolded along the treacherous
Lakki-Darra Tang Road near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, underscores
the growing audacity of militant groups and highlights systemic
challenges to Pakistan’s security and sovereignty.
Security forces, in a partial success, managed to rescue eight of the victims, but the whereabouts of the remaining individuals, including the high-profile nuclear scientist, remain unknown. This incident has not only heightened fears regarding the safety of Pakistan’s strategic assets but also drawn sharp criticism of the government’s ability to counter the resurgence of militancy.
The stakes of strategic vulnerability
The abduction of personnel associated with Pakistan’s nuclear program raises serious concerns about the security of the country’s strategic infrastructure. Dr. Muhammad Faisal, a security analyst and former member of Pakistan’s Strategic Planning Division, expressed grave concerns: “While there is no immediate indication of direct threats to nuclear facilities, targeting individuals linked to our atomic energy program sends a dangerous message. It signals that the TTP – or other militant groups – may be shifting their focus to leverage Pakistan’s most sensitive assets for geopolitical advantage.”
The
TTP, emboldened by safe havens in neighboring Afghanistan, has steadily
intensified its operations since the Taliban’s return to power in Kabul.
According to Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa, a defense analyst specializing in
South Asian security, "The resurgence of TTP activities reflects a
broader failure of regional counterterrorism strategies. The Taliban’s
promises to deny sanctuary to militant groups have not materialized. The
reality is that TTP’s operational capacity has grown, and this brazen
kidnapping demonstrates a dangerous level of coordination and
impunity."
The abductions also ignited a fierce public
outcry. In the small city of Lakki Marwat, local jirgas – traditional
tribal assemblies – have condemned the government’s perceived inability
to safeguard its citizens. “The people are losing faith,” said Malik
Rehman, a local elder who participated in a jirga meeting following the
incident. “If the state cannot protect even those working on critical
national projects, how can ordinary people feel secure? We need decisive
action, not empty promises.”
Grassroots efforts led by
tribal elders and community leaders have begun parallel negotiations,
hoping to secure the safe return of the remaining captives. While these
efforts demonstrate the resilience of local communities, they also
expose the state’s reliance on non-state mechanisms to resolve crises
stemming from militant activity.
Growing regional concern
The
implications of the kidnapping extend beyond Pakistan’s borders. In
Beijing, which has a significant economic stake in Pakistan through the
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), officials expressed alarm. A
Chinese government spokesperson, speaking on condition of anonymity,
said, “China is closely monitoring the situation. We trust that Pakistan
will ensure the safety of all strategic personnel and infrastructure.
Any instability in Pakistan impacts our shared economic and security
interests.”
In Washington, concerns over regional
stability and nuclear security have also been reignited. Michael
Kugelman, Director of the South Asia Institute at the Woodrow Wilson
International Center, commented, “The kidnapping of nuclear-linked
personnel by the TTP highlights a worst-case scenario for US
policymakers. The fear isn’t just about immediate dangers to nuclear
facilities – it’s about the broader destabilization that could arise if
Pakistan’s strategic programs become a bargaining chip for militants.”
Increased militancy
This
is not the first high-profile abduction attributed to the TTP. In
August 2024, militants kidnapped a senior military officer, Lieutenant
Colonel Khalid Amir, and three family members while they attended a
funeral in the city of Dera Ismail Khan. A video released by the captors
showed Amir and his brother pleading for the government to meet the
Taliban’s demands – demands that were never publicly disclosed.
“We
are safe and well,” Amir said in the video, flanked by armed militants.
The incident marked a significant escalation, as it targeted military
leadership and underscored the TTP’s growing confidence. Although the
circumstances of that abduction were different, the common thread
remains the government’s struggle to prevent and respond effectively to
militant actions. Amir and his family members were released shortly
after they were taken.
The Afghan connection
Pakistan’s
government has repeatedly blamed Afghan-based sanctuaries as the root
cause of the TTP’s resurgence. Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Anwar
ul-Haq Kakar recently stated, “Our intelligence assessments are clear.
The TTP operates with impunity from Afghan soil, and this must be
addressed by Kabul. Regional peace depends on collective action against
these sanctuaries.”
However, the Taliban government in
Afghanistan has consistently denied these allegations. In response to
Pakistan’s claims, Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesperson, asserted,
“The TTP is not present in Afghanistan. We do not allow any group to
use our territory against another nation.”
Independent
assessments, including a 2024 United Nations report, contradict the
Taliban’s denials. The report identified the TTP as the largest
terrorist group operating within Afghanistan, with clear links to
al-Qaeda and involvement in cross-border attacks on Pakistan. The
findings further complicate an already fragile relationship between
Islamabad and Kabul.
The human cost of inaction
According
to the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) in Islamabad,
2024 was the deadliest year for Pakistan’s security forces in a decade,
with 685 personnel killed in militant attacks. The TTP and Baloch
Liberation Army (BLA) have been the primary actors in this surge of
violence. Analysts warn that unless there is a concerted national and
international effort to counter these groups, Pakistan’s security
landscape will continue to deteriorate.
“The numbers tell
a tragic story,” said Imtiaz Gul, executive director of CRSS. “The cost
of complacency is measured in lives lost. The international community
must recognize that a destabilized Pakistan poses a risk far beyond its
borders.”
Analysts have reacted sharply to the
kidnappings of strategic personnel by the TTP. “It’s a wake-up call for
Pakistan and its allies. A multifaceted approach – combining military
operations, diplomatic engagement and enhanced regional cooperation – is
essential to address the root causes of militancy,” Dr. Bilal Khan,
Vice Chancellor of Chakwal University told this correspondent.
For now, the fate of the kidnapped nuclear scientist and other captives hangs in the balance, a stark reminder of the human toll of terrorism. Pakistan’s battle against militancy is no longer just about reclaiming territorial control – it’s about securing the nation’s future and ensuring that the sacrifices of its people do not go in vain.