Jung Nama
By Syed Fakhar Kakakhel
Nigarishaat Publishers
ISBN: 978-9694796352
208pp.

Most of the acclaimed books on Islamist militancy in Pakistan have been written by academics. It’s seldom that a practising journalist writes a book on this complex topic. Jung Nama by Fakhar Kakakhel is one such effort that stands as an enlightening chronicle of Islamist militancy in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

An experienced journalist who has spent the better part of three decades covering militancy, Fakhar Kakakhel provides a unique perspective, both informed and informative. Through the pages of this book, he meticulously unravels the layers of militancy, its evolution, and its impact on Pakistan and the world at large.

The book is divided into nine comprehensive chapters, offering readers a deep and immersive experience. Its intended audience is clear: it is a means of acquainting those who do not reside in the ‘militancy-stricken’ regions of Pakistan with the on-ground complex realities. In other words, this book is intended for people living in the large metropolises of Pakistan, such as Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, among others.

At the outset, Kakakhel introduces himself to the reader, providing essential context. His journalism career traces back to the 1990s, a period that coincided with Pakistan’s increasing entanglement with militancy. Notably, he served as the bureau chief of Aaj TV in Peshawar during the pinnacle of the Taliban insurgency in Pakistan. This first-hand experience positions him as an authoritative voice on the subject matter.

A book by a journalist is a valuable resource for those seeking to understand the multifaceted nature of Islamist extremism in Pakistan and Afghanistan

Central to the narrative are the characters and figures that have played pivotal roles in shaping the course of militancy in Pakistan. Sheikh Jameel ur Rehman, the first and only ameer of Kunar, takes centre stage. Killed in 1991 in Bajaur agency, Sheikh Jameel’s story is marked by his Afghan ‘jihad’ experiences, which culminated in his aspiration to establish an ‘Islamic state’ in Malakand division. He served as an inspiration for leaders such as Maulana Sufi Muhammad, who then stirred up trouble in Pakistan’s scenic Swat region.

Kakakhel draws attention to the historical context, specifically to the Ikhwan (Brotherhood), which was established in 1913 as a tribal lashkar (militia) in what is Saudi Arabia today. Of particular interest is the Ikhwan’s use of a flag resembling the one associated with today’s so-called ‘Islamic State’. The author also highlights Saudi Arabia’s crackdown on the Ikhwan in 1929, an event that reverberated through time and inspired individuals such as Juhayman al-Otaybi, who attempted to initiate a radical Islamist government by taking control of the Kaaba in 1979. This historical event sets the stage for the ideological foundations of contemporary extremism.

Within the narrative, the figure of Abdullah Yusuf Azzam emerges as a key influencer, the founder of Islamic jihad in Afghanistan. Azzam’s teachings and activities had a profound impact, particularly on figures such as Osama bin Laden, who was inspired to come to Pakistan. The book goes on to depict the differences that emerged between Azzam and Ayman al-Zawahiri and the former’s eventual death in 1989.

Abu Musab al Zarqawi is another significant character who makes an appearance. Coming from Iraq to Peshawar in 1989, Zarqawi considered Abdullah Azzam his hero. After leaving Afghanistan in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, he established Al-Qaeda in Iraq and conducted attacks not only against the US but also against the Shia population.

His influence on the trajectory of militancy in the region cannot be overstated. In 2013, the formation of the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), followed by the establishment of the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), further reshaped the landscape, and the book explores how these developments continue to impact the region.

Jung Nama also dissects recent events that have cast a long shadow over Pakistan, such as the January 2023 Peshawar mosque attack — which killed 84 people — and was claimed by the Jamaatul-Ahrar, a faction of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to avenge the death of its leader Umar Khalid Khurasani. The book meticulously navigates the complexities of the Deobandi and Salafi divide in the south and north of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It delves into negotiations with the TTP and the consequential handover of the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) to them.

A defining aspect of the current wave of militancy, as articulated by Kakakhel, is its shift in objectives. Unlike the Afghan ‘jihad’ of the 1980s and the response to the US-led ‘War on Terror’, which aimed to expel an invader, the current wave seeks to establish an Islamist state.

This paradigm shift introduces new challenges, such as the use of advanced technology and communication tools that are more sophisticated than ever before. The author also highlights the impact of the merger of Fata into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, leaving no separate territory for a buffer zone, and the contrasting objectives of the Taliban, who seek a Shariah government in Afghanistan, and ‘Islamic State’, which envisions an Islamist state extending worldwide.

The book examines the evolution of militancy tactics, moving away from the traditional command and control system to embrace a more decentralised, lone-wolf style of operations. Educated youth, influenced by the power of social media, are now prominent recruits. Meanwhile, advanced weapons left behind by the International Security Assistance Force have further intensified the conflict.

A recurrent theme in Jung Nama is the concept of revenge in terrorism. Kakakhel illustrates how a sense of revenge has been effectively harnessed to recruit fighters against Allied forces and to generate reactions to drone attacks. The economic and geopolitical factors that fuel militancy are dissected, adding depth to the book’s narrative.

This book also covers the militant attacks on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects and Chinese personnel. The author coins the term G2G, the CPEC route from Gilgit to Gwadar, which is now the centre stage of militant attacks. The author implies that these attacks are aimed at preventing China from making full use of CPEC’s potential in Pakistan.

Kakakhel further underscores the threat posed by Afghan-origin Central Asian militant groups and the tactics employed by the Pakistani Taliban. He provides an explanation of revenue sources for TTP militants, including kidnappings for ransom.

This financial model involves the use of intermediaries such as estate agents, showroom dealers and jewellers to gather information, with victims being held in Pakistan while their ransom calls are made from Afghanistan. The militants also derive income from the drug trade and utilise digital currencies like Bitcoin for financial transactions.

Kakakhel’s extensive experience as a journalist provides a rich and nuanced backdrop for the narratives woven throughout the book. However, it might not be up to the mark from an academic perspective. The book lacks proper referencing and there are limited in-text citations.

That’s because it’s a book written by a journalist using his knowledge and sources and it can’t be judged by the touchstones of an academic book. This point must be considered by researchers and students while using this book as a source of information.

Though Jung Nama is undeniably a challenging read due to its weighty subject matter, it serves as an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to gain a profound understanding of the multifaceted nature of militancy in Pakistan and its implications for the wider region.

The reviewer is an independent journalist and a researcher. X: @iAdnanAamir

Published in Dawn, Books & Authors, November 5th, 2023