Pakistan enlists Afghan Taliban to rein in group accused of bombing Chinese dam workers

Backchannel talks are aimed at containing Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan insurgents, following Islamabad’s controversial offer of amnesty

The TTP has claimed responsibility for over 70 terrorist attacks in Pakistan since the US withdrawal, raising security fears that led to both the New Zealand and England cricket teams cancelling matches

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Pakistani rescuers attend to people injured in a suspected suicide bomb attack on a bus carrying Chinese engineers to the Dasu Dam in Kohistan. Photo: EPA

Published: 7:00pm, 22 Sep 2021Updated: 9:10pm, 23 Sep 2021

Afghanistan’s Taliban regime is playing a pivotal role in backchannel talks between Pakistan’s government and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan insurgents (TTP), top officials indicated, after Islamabad offered a conditional amnesty for surrendering militants.

While the prospects of a peace deal remain remote, officials said Pakistan hopes the Taliban’s involvement will help it to contain the resurgent threat posed by the TTP’s estimated 5,000 fighters based in neighbouring Afghanistan.

Since May, the TTP has taken advantage of chaos in Afghanistan to launch a campaign of practically daily attacks against Pakistani security forces deployed in areas along the border.

Islamabad blamed the TTP for a deadly July 14 vehicular suicide bombing attack against Chinese nationals working on the Dasu hydropower project in northern Pakistan.

Ten Chinese and four Pakistanis were killed in the incident, and work remains suspended on the project because it is taking time for the Pakistani military to establish improved security arrangements in the remote Kohistan region where the dam is being built.

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Pakistan says suicide bombing behind July bus blast that killed 9 Chinese nationals

Since the Taliban seized control of Kabul on August 15, the TTP has claimed responsibility for more than 70 terrorist attacks in Pakistan.