The Afghan Taliban has to deal with this 'serious concern' if and when they practically start the process of relocation of TTP members residing with their families, sources shared with The Friday Times (TFT).
The Afghan Taliban and TTP have, in the past, been battlefield allies engaged in a war against the US on Afghan soil for a long time. A 'soft corner' has developed for the TTP fighters and commanders among large numbers of Afghan Taliban, who consider the Pakistani Taliban amongst their closest and most trusted allies.
Another stumbling block is complete elimination of ISIS/Daesh cells in the areas of Kunar (located in the eastern Afghanistan), Nangarhar (also located in the east and bordering Logar, Kabul) and Nuristan (located in the eastern part of the country), according to background discussions with senior security officials.
It may also be noted that ISIS/Daesh has now increased activities in northern areas of Afghanistan, after not experiencing much success in the eastern and western areas. Some months ago, the Taliban governor of Afghanistan’s northern Balkh province, Mohammed Dawood Muzamil, was killed in a suicide bombing. The attack was claimed by the regional affiliate of ISIS/Daesh, known as Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP).
Likewise, the deputy governor of Afghanistan's northern Badakhshan province was also killed by a car bomb, and ISKP militants claimed responsibility for the attack.
The matter of relocating TTP could become more complicated as non-Pashtun Tajiks, Uzbeks and other ethnic groups have some serious reservations over the relocation of TTP into their areas.
Moreover, the execution plan will not go smoothly as TTP members have not consented to leaving the areas where they reside. TTP fighters may offer strong resistance to Afghan Taliban forcibly moving them, as most of them are living near the Pakistani border with their families.
TTP cadres will also wait for the final word of their leadership before engaging with Afghan Taliban over the matter of relocation. The TTP central shura has, through a letter, also conveyed to its commanders and fighters to "not argue on the shifting issue with anyone." It has also ordered its fighters to not relocate until they are told to do so by TTP leadership.
According to the agreement between Kabul and Islamabad, the discussion focused on relocating TTP fighters to other parts of Afghanistan away from the Pakistan border. During his recent visit, the acting foreign minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi reportedly agreed with Islamabad over the relocation of TTP away from Pakistan.
Currently, thousands of Pakistani Taliban and their families are living in Khost, Paktia and Kunar. Pakistan has frequently accused them of conducting terrorist attacks inside Pakistan.
The border between Pakistan and Afghanistan spans 2,670 kilometers (1,659 miles) and includes 18 officially designated points of entry.