The reported split raises the question of whether it reflects routine restructuring or deeper divisions within the TTP.
A photo of a TTP member. PHOTO: FILE
PESHAWAR:
Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA), widely considered one of the most influential and deadly factions within the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) – second only to the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group – has reportedly announced its third split from the organization.
The group has maintained a significant presence in Pakistan’s Malakand division, Mohmand, Bajaur, Peshawar and surrounding districts, while also developing networks in major urban centers such as Karachi and Lahore.
The reported separation has sparked questions about whether it reflects a routine organizational shakeup or larger strategic and ideological differences within the TTP.
Historical context
Jamaat-ul-Ahrar first emerged in 2014 after officially breaking away from the TTP. The faction was led by Omar Khalid Khorasani, one of the organization’s most influential commanders, while Ehsanullah Ehsan served as its prominent spokesperson.
The split was primarily driven by opposition to the appointment of Mullah Fazlullah – a non-tribal figure from Swat – as TTP leader. JuA leaders argued that the decision was made without adequate consultation with senior commanders and that their faction was excluded from the leadership process.
After nearly a year of mediation between local Taliban leaders and the Afghan Taliban, the two sides reached a reconciliation. Sources have previously said that Sirajuddin Haqqani, now Afghanistan’s interior minister, played a key role in facilitating these efforts. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar later joined the TTP in 2015.
Learn more: TTP hideouts hit in new precision strikes
Relations between the factions, however, remain tense. JuA commanders reportedly criticized Mullah Fazlullah’s leadership for its lack of strategic clarity, despite the fact that both groups adhered to the same school of thought.
They also disagreed over operational policy, with the JuA and the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group often claiming responsibility for attacks that the TTP leadership chose not to publicly acknowledge, calling their silence a “strategic” approach.
In 2017-2018, the two parties reportedly operated separately, despite no official public announcement. After Fazlullah’s death, TTP leader Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud managed to bring JuA back into the organization, where he remained until the latest reported split.
The current split is reportedly linked to disagreements over TTP policies and concerns over the organization’s alleged growing proximity to hardline factions. These claims, however, have not been independently verified.
Operational scope and strategy
Security observers say the reported split suggests Jamaat-ul-Ahrar is seeking to pursue a broader operational strategy, viewing the whole of Pakistan as its area of operations rather than limiting its activities to former tribal districts or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Recent attacks claimed by the group, including one in Karachi, have been cited by analysts as evidence of this broader geographic focus.
Some analysts also believe that JuA’s more proactive operational posture could help it attract new recruits. However, these assessments remain analytical judgments rather than independently established facts.
If confirmed, the reported split would represent another significant development in Pakistan’s evolving activist landscape and could have implications for the cohesion and future trajectory of the TTP.
JuA has also reportedly established links with separatist groups in Balochistan, and analysts suggest it could claim responsibility for attacks in Balochistan province in the near future.
