Ittihad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan
Pakistani Islamist militant organization
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Ittihad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan (IMP,Urdu: اتحاد المجاہدین پاکستان, lit. 'United Warriors of Pakistan') is a Pakistani alliance of Islamist militant groups operating in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Groups that joined the alliance include; Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, Lashkar-e-Islam and Harakat-e-Inqilab-e-Islami.[2]
| Ittihad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan | |
|---|---|
One of the flags used by the group | |
| Leader | Hafiz Gul Bahadur[1] |
| Spokesperson | Mahmood ul-Hasan |
| Foundation | April 11, 2025 |
| Merger of |  Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group Lashkar-e-Islam Harakat-e-Inqilab-e-Islami |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Active regions | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
| Ideology | Jihadism Islamism Pashtunwali |
| Notable attacks | 2026 Bannu attacks |
| Allies |
|
| Battles and wars | Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 2026 Afghanistan–Pakistan war |
The formation of the alliance was announced on April 11, 2025, by media wings of all three groups. IMP described itself as an "unified front" for “elevating the word of Allah".[3] The alliance said its factions are splinter groups of Pakistani Taliban movement.[4] The coalition was established under the leadership of Hafiz Gul Bahadur, head of a Pakistani Taliban faction.[5]
History
Precursor of IMP, a group called “Ittihadul Mujahideen”, was founded in 2004 as an alliance of small militant groups such as Akhtar Khalil, it was led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur. The alliance carried out armed attacks North Waziristan. Akhtar Khalil later joined Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan while smaller groups in the alliance merged with Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group.[6]
Ittihad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan was founded on April 11, 2025, its creation was announced by media wings of Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, Lashkar-e-Islam and Harakat-e-Inqilab-e-Islami. IMP said it would support the oppressed and wage jihad against the Pakistani government as an "unified front" for “elevating the word of Allah". IMP created its media wing, naming it “Sada-e-Ghazwat-ul-Hind” and assigned Mahmood ul-Hasan to be IMP's spokesperson.[3] IMP uses Twitter account "@Tarjuman_IMP" to make statements and threats, the account is operated by the spokesperson.[7] IMP also has a Telegram channel which they use to distribute propaganda videos in Pashto, Urdu and English.[8]
While the alliance did not officially reveal the name of its leader, Hafiz Gul Bahadur was widely regarded as instrumental in its formation among militant circles. Journalist Jawad Yousafzai speculated in April 2025 that Gul Bahadur will lead the group.[6] "The Khorasan Diary" news outlet stated that the IMP alliance was established under the leadership of Hafiz Gul Bahadur, head of a Pakistani Taliban faction.[9]
Between April 12 and 16, IMP claimed responsibility for armed attacks against Pakistani security forces in North Waziristan District and Tirah. The group conducted grenade attacks, rocket attacks as well as ambushes on convoys.[3] IMP, together with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan used anti-drone technology to counter aerial attacks from the government. Unlike the TTP, which preferred to keep its drone capabilities secret, IMP has publicly announced the use of explosive-laden quadcopters against government forces. The groups conducted a total of 405 attacks using quadcopters in 2025.[10]
The Pakistani government has accused IMP of being a front for TTP,[4] as well as Al-Qaeda.[11]
In July 2025, a Lashkar-e-Islam source claimed that a Pakistani Taliban commander from South Waziristan, along with a group of militants led by an associate of the now-deceased former TTP Emir Hakimullah Mehsud joined IMP.[12] That same month, IMP released a report on its military activities, claiming the group had carried out 89 attacks in July 2025 that killed 88 and injured 15 security personnel. It also highlighted that its attacks are usually carried out by Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group and Lashkar-e-Islam.[13] In February 2026, Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent mentioned IMP in its infographic overviewing militant activity of Islamist groups. Analysts speculated that this suggests ideological or operational links between the two groups.[14]
Activities
2025
On April 25, 2025, Ittihad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan ambushed a station house officer's car in Bannu District using an IED, two officers were injured.[15] On September 4, 2025, IMP conducted a suicide attack against Federal Constabulary base in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province using a vehicle carrying an IED. According to the government, the attack killed 6 officers, IMP claimed the attack killed 20 officers.[16]
In July 2025, IMP claimed to have conducted three quadcopter drone attacks on military facilities in Mir Ali and Bakka Khel.[7] On July 8, 2025, IMP announced its first joint attack with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan in Orakzai District. IMP reported that they destroyed a military vehicle and seized three G3 rifles and a light machine gun.[17] In October 2025, IMP claimed responsibility for armed attack on a checkpoint in Peshawar District that killed seven officers.[18] Pakistani police chief said that 6 suicide bombers were used for the attack, 13 officers were injured.[19] On October 15, 2025, IMP claimed responsibility for killing a police officer guarding polio vaccination workers in Nowshera District.[20]
2026
In January 2026, Pakistan conducted six drone strikes against IMP, killing 27 militants. Days later, IMP claimed to have stolen anti-drone gun from security forces during clashes.[21] In February 2026, a team of Counter Terrorism Department officers who were transporting a prisoner were ambushed in Bannu District. During the gunfight, detained IMP commander Usama Daniyal Baghi was killed.[22] Baghi was accidentally killed by gunfire from the attackers trying to rescue him; no officers were injured.[23]
On February 22, 2026 IMP claimed responsibility for ambushing a military convoy. During the exchange, five IMP militants were killed. Commanding officer and a soldier were also killed after they were rammed by an IED-laden vehicle.[24]
On May 9, 2026, Ittihad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan conducted a suicide attack on military post in Bannu District, killing 14 and injuring 3 police officers. Several IED-laden vehicles and a suicide bomber were used for the attack.[25] Dawn reported that surrounding civilian areas suffered significant damage, 3 civilians were injured. A state of emergency was declared in Bannu hospitals.[26]