Pakistan: Militants Seize Counterterrorism Center

Facts

• Roughly 20 Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants seized a government counterterrorism facility in the northwestern Bannu district late on Sunday and are holding several security officials hostage, reportedly demanding safe passage to Afghanistan.
• The militants allegedly snatched guns from police officers while being interrogated at the detention center and later took the entire staff hostage, with the TTP claiming responsibility for the incident.
• The situation has remained tense through Monday as no breakthrough has been achieved in talks between Pakistan's government and the militants. Internet and cellphone services were suspended in the area while authorities urge residents to stay indoors.
• Few other details have emerged so far, though Pakistani officials have confirmed that one counter-terrorism officer was killed during the militants' takeover of the detention center, and estimate that there could be up to 10 hostages.
• The incident comes a day after the TTP — which associates itself with the Afghanistan Taliban — claimed the killings of four policemen in a nearby district, and is the latest in a years-long battle between the government and the militant group since it first emerged in 2007.
• In late November, the TTP unilaterally called off a five-month-long truce with the Pakistan government which had been brokered by Afghanistan's Taliban, ordering its fighters to restart attacks.

Sources: Al Jazeera, Tribune, Dawn, Guardian, Improve the News

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Diplomat. The TTP's growing aggression, coupled with the Afghan Taliban's continued stance of looking the other way, is proof that Pakistan needs to ramp up its military operations. Not only must Islamabad target militants nationwide, but it could justifiably take the fight to Afghanistan in a coordinated military effort with regional allies.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Friday Times. Pakistan's continuous cycle of trying to co-opt, sponsor or defeat the TTP has only led to continual armed conflict. Even if Pakistan successfully blames Afghanistan for supporting the group, it won't change the fact that the TTP blames Pakistan for targeting its members domestically. Pakistan's focus must be on fighting an ideological war and encouraging Afghanistan to welcome the TTP onto its side of the border to prevent future conflict.

Predictions