SUMMARY
Causes of the conflict between the Forces of Turkestan Bhittani and TTP (Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan: Taleban Movement of Pakistan), can be traced as far back as 2007, when Turkestan Bhittani, formerly allied with TTP’s leader Baitullah Mehsud, decided to split ways over ideological grounds (i.e. whether Pakistan is a legitimate target for Jihad or not). After this split, a number of further factors precipitated the outbreak of violence, such as, on one hand, TTP’s abduction of 16 Bhittani tribespeople, and on the other, Turkestan Bhittani ‘s initiation of collaboration with the Government of Pakistan, aiding them in their efforts against TTP.
Given this collaboration, Meshud declared Bhittani a traitor, accusing him of being a mere drug-runner that would do anything for profits. Turkestan Bhittani’s response was issued in a similar vein – questioning Meshud’s allegiance to the Taleban cause and accusing him of acting against the orders of Taleban supreme leader Mullah Omar by refusing to move and fight in Afghanistan.
Violence between the two sides was characterized by a number of specific patterns. Tactically, both TTP and the Forces of Turkestan Bhittani aimed to obtain control of a number of key points, such as Jandola town in South Waziristan and the Wana to Jandola road. Control of these key points was vital for both groups, as they offered two strategic advantages – denial of movement for the enemy (in what is a difficult terrain) as well as the ability to extract essential resources from locals and traders. Subsequently, assaults on each other’s strongholds, and fierce clashes, including heavy weaponry were common. Similarly, given the personal rivalry between Bhittani and Meshud, bombing attacks (including suicide bombings) and assassination attempts were reported. While there were some violent incidents between the two groups in 2008 (including an assassination attempt and some violent clashes), a significant increase in violence came in August 2009. This escalation of violence happened as the Forces of Turkestan Bhittani secured control over a tactically important area for the TTP, but also as Bhittani attempted to speculate the death of Baitullah Meshud in order to exploit weaknesses in TTP and, possibly, take control of that organization.
One particularity of the Forces of Turkestan Bhittani has been the close coordination with the Pakistani governmental forces in their efforts against the TTP. Further, the Government of Pakistan offered significant aid to Bhittani, both financially as well as by allowing them to organize and recruit inside government-controlled territory.
The conflict was relatively localized – all incidents of violence taking place in the South Waziristan area of the border between the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan. Most incidents took place around the cities of Tank and Jandola, two important gateways into the mountainous regions close to the Afghan border.
The non-state conflict between the Forces of Turkestan Bhittani and TTP is first included in UCDP data in 2009. A number of clashes and bomb attacks, in March and August that year, resulted in over 25 battle-related deaths.
