Wandering awfully far from their home on the Afghan-Pakistan border….
[KhaamaPress] Spanish police have arrested 11 Pakistani nationals suspected of being members of the banned militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in a coordinated counter-terrorism operation in Barcelona.Spanish authorities have arrested 11 Pakistani nationals suspected of being members of the banned militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The arrests were made in Barcelona through a joint operation conducted by the National Police, Mossos d’Esquadra, and the Italian Polizia di Stato.
The suspects are accused of promoting extremist activities, including violent acts such as beheadings, through encrypted communication channels, the Jerusalem post reported on Monday, March 10.
According to the news agency, the investigations reveal the group had a hierarchical structure and primarily operated through instant messaging platforms. These platforms were allegedly used to spread extremist ideology, recruit members, and identify potential targets across Europe. Authorities have indicated that the arrested individuals had strong ties to the TTP, often referred to as the “Pakistani Taliban.”
According to the Spanish National Police, this operation is part of a broader counter-terrorism effort that has led to 30 arrests in Spain over the past three years. In this latest phase, ten suspects were detained in Barcelona and its surrounding areas, while another was taken into custody in Italy. Reports suggest that one of the key communication networks was managed by women, who played an active role in radicalization and target selection.
Meanwhile, in Pakistan, the TTP has intensified its attacks on security personnel, particularly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Pakistani officials claim that the surge in terrorist activities is linked to the presence of TTP sanctuaries in neighboring Afghanistan. They have accused the Afghan Taliban of providing shelter and strategic support to the militant group.
However, the Afghan Taliban have repeatedly denied these allegations, insisting that they do not harbor or support TTP militants. Despite Pakistan’s concerns and diplomatic efforts, cross-border security tensions continue to escalate, raising fears of further instability in the region.