- Strange things are happening
The world of Islamic militancy, and thus of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), is a little strange, a little too full of violence, even apart from the spectacular bomb blasts which have become its signature. However, the mysterious alleged escape from custody of TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan along with his family as well as the murky killing of Sheikh Khalid Haqqani, mark a turmoil within Islamic militancy that might see a re-emergence of militancy, though under a new guise. One of the most tumultuous developments, was the defeat of both ISIS in Iraq and Syria, as well as of the TTP itself in Waziristan. That has created circumstances which might be resolved only by a resurgence of militancy. It is more than a possibility that the official relief that militancy had been defeated may be premature. Islamic militants have shown before the ability to re-emerge, under a new name, but with the same agenda, and methods improved by the previous experience of being defeated.
It is because previous foundations of new militant groups have often carried over that Mr Ehsan’s alleged escape gains in significance. More puzzling is the lack of the version of the authorities. Mr Ehsan announced his escape himself, saying that he had been in custody since surrendering in 2017. His claim to have escaped from prison, and to have taken along his family, raises many questions, which have been met by a wall of silence. Is Mr Ehsan positioning himself for membership of a new militant group? His presence in Turkey does not indicate anything for the time being.
However, with the collapse of the ISIL Caliphate, Turkey’s fight with the Kurds of Iraq and Syria has made it a happening place for militants. Whether Mr Ehsan went there because his escape forced him, or he went there in search of opportunities, is anybody’s guess, at least until more details of his alleged escape are provided. There is no apparent connection between Mr Haqqani’s death, and the subsequent return of his corpse, and Mr Ehsan’s escape, but in the world of Islamic militancy, events do not just occur randomly. It also should not be forgotten that Mr Haqqani’s brother Nasiruddin was killed in Islamabad in 2013.
