TTP's 2026 Expansion: 'Air Force' Wing, Shadow Provinces Threaten Pakistan

• Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) announced a sweeping new organizational structure for 2026, including an "Air Force" unit, signaling a major escalation.
• The plan details military formations, provincial deployments, and internal departments, with the "Air Force" unit under Saleem Haqqani.
• TTP created new supervision zones (Western, Central) and expanded "shadow provinces" to include Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.
• Significant leadership reshuffle occurred, with Ehsanullah Ipi heading the Southern Military Zone and Azmatullah Mehsud leading the Political Commission.
• The expansion comes amidst rising terror attacks in Pakistan and increased pressure from Pakistan on the Afghan Taliban over alleged TTP support.

Why It Matters: TTP's ambitious 2026 expansion, including an "Air Force" and new territories, signals a severe escalation of threat to Pakistan.