Network of Financial Supporters to TTP Terrorists Uncovered Among Tribal Leaders and Government Officials
An investigation has unveiled a network of tribal leaders and government officials involved in funding the banned militant group Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which the state has previously labeled as a dangerous entity. A detained government official revealed the methods through which these extremists were financially supported.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) recently arrested several facilitators, including government officials and supporters of the TTP, though the main TTP commander, along with a CTD officer and two tribal leaders, managed to escape.
According to CTD sources, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Nauman from Khyber, along with a policeman named Gulzada, a TTP commander, and others, allegedly seized 12 kilograms of gold from an Afghan citizen during a fake raid at Torkham. The raid involved individuals such as Malik Taj Mahal, Hayat Afridi, Muhammadullah Kamran, and CTD Khyber officials Nauman and Gulzada.
CTD authorities initiated action after the TTP’s funding came to the attention of the CTD Khyber SP, who reportedly received a bribe offer of five crore rupees from ASI Nauman to keep silent. During questioning, arrested officer Gulzada disclosed the details of the group’s operation and stated that he had advised Nauman to inform SP Khyber about the incident. However, he claimed Nauman responded that the SP was already aware, offering Gulzada two million rupees to stay quiet.
Further investigation led to the arrest of jewelers Nadeem Saraf and Asghar in Peshawar, who allegedly helped reveal the broader plot. The CTD registered a First Information Report (FIR), recovering the stolen gold.
CTD sources revealed that Nadeem and Asghar purchased 2.5 kilograms of gold worth approximately 54.7 million rupees, later transporting it from Khyber District to Gulbahar, Peshawar. The operation also uncovered that 30 tola (approx. 350 grams) of gold was sold to jeweler Ashfaq, with another portion sold to Asghar and Hafiz Umair.
The TTP commanders Muhammadullah and Saifullah, who reportedly received the funds, were linked to former Al-Qaeda commander Shaponke, killed in a 2013 drone strike in Afghanistan.
The alleged mastermind of the funding remains at large in Afghanistan.SP Shaukat Khan of the CTD Khyber reported the matter to senior officials, registering cases against all named suspects. Authorities raided Malik Hayat Khan's residence in Khyber, seizing four Kalashnikov rifles, two hand grenades, and additional ammunition. The arrested jewelers, Nadeem and Asghar, were remanded to CTD custody for fifteen days by the anti-terrorism court.
