Pakistani officials say that the attackers on the cadet colleges in Islamabad and Waziristan were linked to Afghanistan. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said on Wednesday that the suicide bomber who carried out the attack in the Islamabad court complex and killed a dozen people was an Afghan national.
Previously, Pakistan has also killed dozens of armed individuals who came from Afghanistan, and a large number of members of the TTP, referred to as Fitna Khawarij (Seditionists/Rebels), were killed in Bannu, Karak, Bajaur, and other areas. Security experts and analysts say that the Fitna Khawarij‘s ability to carry out attacks has been reduced, and a large number of them have been killed in the last few days. Information Minister Talal Chaudhry said that the security forces are proud of the successful operation at the Wana Cadet College.
Analysts say that in recent days, security agencies in Pakistan have been foiling terrorist attacks and not allowing them to succeed. They say that if this series of successes by the security agencies continues, the problem of terrorism will be completely eliminated soon.
Prominent journalist and analyst Hamid Mir also wrote on X:
“For a long time, the terrorists were not attacking citizens to create a rift between the citizens and the army. Now, they have changed their strategy and are attacking soft targets like the Wana Cadet College and the Islamabad court because they have suffered heavy losses due to the security forces’ improved surveillance and offensive capabilities. Over 1,700 terrorists have been killed in 2025 alone, and now, out of desperation, they are attacking students and unarmed citizens. This is their true face.”
Senior security officials in Pakistan assert that the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), often referred to by the national narrative as the Khwarij menace, is facing an imminent collapse following record counter-terrorism successes in 2025.
Officials characterised recent attacks, including those targeting the Cadet College Wana and the Islamabad Courts Complex, not as signs of renewed strength but as acts of “desperate retaliation” reflecting profound frustration within the militant ranks.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, stated that there is no unified government in Kabul, but rather different groups and factions whose interests and agendas are separate.
“Some are linked to India, and some have their strings being pulled from elsewhere. Therefore, I believe these two incidents (the attacks) are a prelude to an impending attack that could originate from Afghanistan. In reality, this will be Indian aggression carried out against our country through Afghanistan.” He added.
He further reiterated, “There should be no misunderstanding about this; it is absolutely clear that the enmity of our neighbour has come out into the open.” He reiterated that Pakistan had asked the Afghan Taliban for only one thing during negotiations: not to allow terrorism to be carried out from their soil.
According to data shared by security officials, Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies have achieved unprecedented success this year, neutralising over 1,700 TTP terrorists in 2025 alone.
A major blow to the group’s hierarchy was the elimination of several high-value targets, notably the TTP’s Second-in-Command, Qari Muzahim. Security assessments indicate that these losses have severely degraded the group’s operational capacity and logistical support networks.
The TTP’s historical battlefield advantage has reportedly been nullified due to a fundamental transformation in the tactical environment. Officials credit the Pakistan Army’s Over-the-Sight capabilities, advanced surveillance and strike technology combined with critical on-ground support from local tribal lashkars, for this shift.
This mounting pressure has reportedly led to significant internal reluctance, with local commanders becoming increasingly unwilling to directly confront Pakistani forces. Further evidence of internal fragmentation is the observation that militant groups have begun stopping claiming responsibility for attacks, aware that doing so only serves to strengthen national unity and resolve.
The TTP’s strategic shift toward targeting soft targets and civilians is viewed as a clear sign of their desperation and has inadvertently further alienated them from the public.
This shift coincides with the national narrative designating the TTP as Khwarij (a term for religious outlaws or renegades), which is gaining traction across the country. According to security analysts, this wide-scale narrative adoption is isolating the militants both ideologically and publicly.
Officials concluded their assessment by stating that mounting pressure from alleged Indian handlers—a referenced source of external support—will ultimately be insufficient to save the collapsing organisation, urging the nation to remain steadfast in its resolve.
