Escape from Pakistan: TTP Spokesperson Ehsan ullah Ehsan Fled from Custody

Escape from Pakistan: TTP Spokesperson Ehsan ullah Ehsan Fled from Custody

In February 2017, Pakistani security and law enforcement authorities managed to get Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesperson Ehsan ullah Ehsan to defect to Pakistani authorities. Or, at least, government officials proclaimed that he had surrendered to authorities and was cooperating with them (News International, February 10). Ehsan’s capture was portrayed in Pakistani media as a great achievement and for months was a major news item. The event seemed to have broken the back of TTP. Ehsan was not just a spokesperson of the most lethal Islamist terrorist group operating in Pakistan, but one of its most important commanders.

In the first week of this year, it became public knowledge that Ehsan Ullah Ehsan had escaped from the custody of security forces and rejoined TTP ranks somewhere in eastern Afghanistan (his claim that he had reached Turkey is believed to be a diversion). Ehsan’s escape has turned out to be an important development in the context of the ongoing Afghan peace talks, which have put TTP’s future in question. Moreover, a seasoned commander has returned to TTP’s ranks, and this is crucial for its resurgence in Pakistan given Ehsan’s extensive experience in planning and carrying out terrorist attacks in the country. In February, after a long delay, Pakistan’s interior minister confirmed Ehsan’s escape. (Geo News, February 17).

Who is Ehsan Ullah Ehsan?

Liaquat Ali, a.k.a Ehsan Ullah Ehsan, hails from Mohmand district of the former tribal areas of Pakistan (now part of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa province). He joined TTP during the Islamist insurgency in Swat in 2008, where the Tehreek-e-Nifaz e Shariat Mohammadi (TNSM), one of the integral groups under the TTP umbrella, had, along with TTP, seized large swaths of territory. The insurgency occupied Malakand division in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa province and began enforcing Sharia law.

Ehsan quickly rose to become TTP’s spokesperson, claiming on behalf of TTP a number of major terrorist operations. These operations included an attempt on the life of future Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai in 2012; the terrorist attack on Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar in December 2012; the killing of nine foreign tourists in June 2013 in Gilgat-Baltistan; the suicide attack on spectators watching a parade at the Pakistan-Indian border in November 2014 that killed 60 people; the assassination of the provincial home minister of Punjab in August 2015; and the Easter Day suicide attack on Christians in March 2016, which killed 72 people (Geo News, April 26, 2017). During his time in security forces’ custody, Ehsan provided crucial information about TTP leadership, including details of the leadership’s move to Afghanistan following Pakistan’ military operation in North Waziristan district. From their new location in eastern Afghanistan, they planned terrorist attacks.

How and why Ehsan  surrendered to the authorities, or whether he was arrested by law enforcement bodies, is unknown. His surrender was announced by Lt. General Asif Ghafoor, director general of the Pakistani military’s media wing, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) (Al-Jazeera, April, 17, 2017). The news marked the first ever surrender of a high-profile TTP leader in Pakistan. Ehsan was added to the U.S. list of specially designated terrorists in April 2018 (U.S. Treasury Department, April 2, 2018). Ehsan had earlier been a spokesperson for Jamaat ul Ahrar (JuA) (Express Tribune, February 17). JuA is a faction of TTP, which is not a monolithic entity but rather an umbrella group representing a number of Pakistani militant groups. 

The Escape

Ehsan’s escape from the custody of Pakistani security forces caused significant controversy. That a  high-profile terrorist could easily escape along with his family from a safe house in Peshawar was difficult for the Pakistani public to believe. The government response came to the public’s attention only after an audio message by Ehsan describing his escape from custody was uploaded to social media by the TTP media wing. In the message, he claimed to have joined ranks of TTP, stating:

“I am Ehsan ullah Ehsan. I am the former spokesman of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and Jamaatul Ahrar. I had surrendered to the Pakistani security authorities on February 5, 2017 under an agreement. I honored this agreement for three years, but the Pakistani authorities violated it and kept me in a prison along with my children…On January 11, 2020 with the help of Allah, I succeeded in escaping from custody, I will also mention on whose approval this accord was made with me. And what were the terms and conditions of the agreement and which prominent figure had assured me that the agreement will be implemented,” (News International, February 7).

While details have not emerged about how he managed to escape, the news of it created fissures in Pakistani society. The parents of those children who died in the attack on the Army Public School in December 2014 filed an application in the Supreme Court of Pakistan urging the authorities to explain “why the state failed in bringing Ehsan to justice”. A total of 147 children were killed by the TTP militants in the terrorist attack on the school, claimed by the TTP’s Fazal ullah faction (Dawn, February 13).

Repercussions 

Ehsan’s escape could have severe security repercussions, as it may provide a damaged TTP a moment’s respite that could pave the way for its revival. With the deaths of its senior leaders, the TTP was experiencing an acute shortage of experienced commanders. Ehsan rejoining the ranks will boost TTP’s operational capabilities, as he is a veteran jihadist. TTP’s operations may be reactivated. He was in the custody of security forces for years, and may have learned valuable information. Most importantly, his escape will allow the TTP leadership to pursue operations in different parts of Pakistan. These operations will boost the morale of various TTP cells operating across Pakistan.

Conclusion

Past prison breaks have created havoc for the security situation in Pakistan. The Bannu district prison break in 2012 and Dera Ismail Khan district prison break in 2013 were followed by a steep rise in the number of terrorist attacks. While it may take some time for Ehsan to begin operating for TTP again, just his presence in its ranks would be a boost for TTP and heighten its activities. TTP terrorist activities have been on the decline over the last four years, but Ehsan’s return will likely lead to a resurgence. Security policymakers need to take note and devise plans to handle any perceived threats. Even more importantly, Pakistani leaders need to review the failure of security measures that allowed Ehsan to escape from custody.