Islamabad : The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as Pakistani Taliban, is the deadliest among Pakistan’s home grown militant outfits.
Formed following the US intervention in Afghanistan, the movement was started by a section of radicals in Pakistan to support the Afghan Taliban.
However, TTP is not affiliated with the Afghan Taliban, as both groups have different histories and goals.
In December 2007, after the terror attack on Lal Masjid incident (Red Mosque) in Lahore, the existence of the TTP was officially announced under the leadership of Baitullah Mehsud, who later was killed in 2009 in a drone attack. Thirteen groups united under the leadership of Baitullah Mehsud to form the TTP in an undisclosed place in South Waziristan Agency of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
The sole objective of the group meeting was to unite the small militant factions under the leadership of TTP against NATO forces in Afghanistan and to wage a defensive jihad against Pakistani forces.
Since its inception seven years ago, the TTP has ben involved in some of the deadliest terror strikes in the strife-riven country, including the suicide bombing at the Wagah border with India Nov 2 this year that claimed 60 lives.
In 2012, the TTP also shot at Pakistani girls’ education activist Malala Yousufzai who went on to share the Nobel Peace Prize with India’s Kailash Satyarthi this year.