Pakistani Taliban Image Boost in the Wake of Afghanistan-Pakistan Conflict

Pakistani Taliban released a series of videos during the unraveling of the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan, signaling their media capabilities and boosting their image

Between October 16 and 19, while the conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan was entering its latest stages and early talks were being scheduled in Doha, Pakistani Taliban factions published several videos featuring commanders, attacks, and paying tribute to late militants, with different purposes.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) released majority of the contents, mostly addressing the claims that its leader, Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud, had been killed during Pakistan’s airstrikes on October 9. However, other factions also produced content, including Jamaatul Ahrar (JuA) and Inqilab-e-Islami Pakistan (IIP), addressing different issues. The high media activity of all Pakistani Taliban during the clashes between Afghan and Pakistani forces reveals that despite multiple efforts to degrade them, Pakistani Taliban capabilities remain largely untouched.