From Radio Waves to Social Media: The Evolution of Militants Propaganda Machinery
Maaz Khan
Over the past two decades, social media networks have emerged as powerful platforms for influencing public opinion. In this context, Omer Media, established in 2012, played a deceptive role by misleading innocent civilians under the pretence of upholding Islamic principles. Initially, such organizations garnered public support by systematically broadcasting fabricated propaganda through FM radio channels in areas like Swat, Buner, and adjoining regions, where radio was a primary source of information for the local population, especially during the evenings. Through these broadcasts, they created a false sense of belief among the people, spreading the controversial narrative that following the Taliban’s agenda was equivalent to practicing religion in its true letter and spirit.
By effectively nurturing their narrative, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), against all odds, managed to challenge the writ of the government. They gained moral and material support from local people by promoting the idea of speedy justice for the weak and poor against the influential notables of the area, thereby exploiting public sentiments across their areas of influence. Morally, it was foul play aimed at gaining cheap popularity at the grassroots level to secure local support in terms of men and material to pursue their hidden agenda. TTP replaced the local Masharans and Maliks with their puppet agents, empowering them in the area, which gradually led local people to join their ranks. Over the last decade, many video programs and one radio program have gone viral on social media in support of TTP’s influence.
However, TTP’s Omer Media has been managing frequent blocking and deletion of accounts, yet the media organization still maintains a significant presence on social media. Moreover, instant tweets, texts, and swift sharing options available on Twitter provide an edge to the Taliban’s media campaign. Meanwhile, by engaging on various platforms, TTP is also trying to maintain an online presence, and it remains constantly under the watchful eye of the Pakistani state.
Militants Radio
As far as the influential role of TTP media is concerned, FM radios played a dominant role in public awareness and social development in 2008; however, these radios were also easily used by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan in the former FATA to spread false propaganda among the masses. In 2007, these same radio channels were used by terrorists to turn tribal districts, including the Malakand division, into hubs of terrorism. For this purpose, Maulana Fazlullah’s radio station had pledged to enforce Islamic law in Swat as a false narrative to secretly pursue an anti-state agenda against Pakistan. Before the military launched an offensive against the Taliban in 2008, the broadcasts of this radio station had struck a lot of terror among the local population in Swat and surrounding areas.
The prime time for broadcasting their propaganda through radio was from 7 PM to 10 PM, during which Maulana Fazlullah’s deputy, Maulana Shah Dauran, along with other elements, criticized Pakistan’s democratic system and its inability to provide good governance and justice to the needy and poor. ‘Mullah Radio’ was also used to issue threats by announcing punishments against individuals and groups who refused to follow their school of thought, often issuing fatwas of disbelief. Over time, such threats and declarations became a societal norm. However, at a later stage, the true face of TTP was exposed, and their real motives were revealed to the people of Swat.
However, in late 2007, the Taliban exploited the Lal Masjid operation, the Bajaur Madrasah attack, Pakistan’s alliance with the US in the attack on Afghanistan and many more sensitive issues. They were using such topics to attract youth for armed training against security forces across Pakistan. Since the local people had been unaware of the true purpose and origin of TTP, they were misled and young people gradually started joining their ranks. It may be noted that FM radio was extensively used as an effective weapon to gain the support of the local population by the Taliban forces in Swat, Bajaur and Dir.
TTP mainly exploited the fact that the people had been ignorant of their Sharia, in the Bajaur and Malakand division. The banned outfits focused mainly on misleading people in the name of Sharia and Jihad through their radios.
Online Terrorism and Militants Recruitment Aspects
The online presence of extremist organizations and the increasing cases of online radicalization in other parts of the world raise serious questions about the extent to which TTP and similar organizations can influence and radicalize Pakistani youth in the coming years. The widespread dissemination of anti-state content and the extensive outreach efforts by these extremist groups for recruitment are in direct contradiction to the state’s objectives. In connection with their recruitment strategies, these groups focus on motivating inexperienced youth — particularly freshly recruited individuals — to carry out attacks on state institutions, civilians, and other high-value targets by aggressively spreading their narrative and encouraging them to join their cause.
Due to emotional speeches, many youths joined the ranks of TTP. These speeches, combined with Taliban slogans, significantly influenced the local population and were key factors in the success of TTP’s propaganda and recruitment efforts. According to a survey, 98% of people in the tribal belt of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regularly listen to radio channels. The habit of listening to the radio is deeply rooted in tribal areas, making it an effective medium for spreading propaganda.
Currently, popular radio channels in KP include Pakhtunkhwa Radio, Radio Pakistan, and several internationally funded FM stations. These FM radios are also being used in Afghanistan today to address TTP’s manpower shortage by running organized recruitment campaigns through radio broadcasts.
TTP’s Recent Surge and Evolution of Social Media Segment in Umar Media
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) activated its social media wing, Umar Media, in 2017 to spread the menace of terrorism through modern communication platforms. Umar Media regularly shares various types of fake claims related to terrorist activities to promote the TTP’s agenda. Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, Umar Media has intensified its operations, playing a crucial role in supporting the recent surge of TTP’s activities.
Named after Mullah Muhammad Omar, the founder of the Afghan Taliban, Umar Media operates under the TTP’s so-called ‘Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.’ Interestingly, while the Afghan Taliban government often projects a pro-Pakistan stance, TTP’s media operations, under the same name ‘Umar Media,’ are centrally organized and directly aimed against the state of Pakistan.
Al-Umar Media’s Propaganda Material Includes
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), through its media wing Umar Media, regularly disseminates various types of content to promote its agenda. These include routine statements, infographics, bi-weekly Pashto-language podcasts under the title Pasoon (Rebellion), daily Pashto-language broadcasts on Umar Radio, and a monthly magazine. In addition, Al-Omar Media occasionally publishes books and runs various video series aimed at spreading TTP’s narrative.
These video series include Abtaal Umaat (a historical program featuring prominent TTP leaders), Maraak Hai Taiz (focused on jihad against security forces in Pakistan), Tayaar Hai Hum (showcasing training and recruits), Zair Nazar (addressing political and social issues), Na Janay Meray Bastay Kay Log Kab Jagain Gey (highlighting army, ISI, and FC operations), Mai Jihad Ka Musafar (motivating jihadists in the field), Kafalat-ul-Yateem (focused on orphans), Dawat-ul-Jihad (featuring prominent TTP clerics), Shaheen Jawan (showcasing ongoing militant operations), Rism Muhabat (featuring low-profile militants), and Hum Taliban (presenting TTP’s ideology and vision).
Merger With TTP – Various Militant Factions
Since 2020, Al-Omar Media’s social media capabilities have reached new levels following the merger of various militant factions with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Notably, the Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) faction also joined under the leadership of militant commander Muneeb, who was previously affiliated with Al-Qaeda’s media wing, Al-Sahab. His involvement has significantly transformed the nature and intensity of TTP’s social media propaganda.
In January 2023, Muneeb was officially appointed as the head of Al-Omar Media. Similarly, the brief tenure of former Al-Omar Media chief and TTP commander Khalid Balti, who was killed under mysterious circumstances in Afghanistan, had also contributed to boosting TTP’s propaganda efforts following his release from prison in Afghanistan.
Conclusion
In ancient times, warfare was limited to conventional means such as land, air, and sea battles. However, today, sub-conventional tools like Social Media Networks (SMNs) have evolved into powerful platforms capable of influencing minds on a mass scale. A single viral post targeting the state’s soft image can quickly escalate into a major challenge, mobilizing thousands or even millions, where each comment may carry more weight than a sword’s strike.
Currently, TTP no longer has access to FM radio stations, and social media has become its primary tool of communication. This shift has revolutionized how the group spreads its propaganda. TTP’s messaging is no longer confined to claiming responsibility for attacks or issuing organizational statements; it now regularly addresses significant political and economic developments in Pakistan. Alarmingly, the world has become accustomed to these advanced methods, accepting this psychological warfare as part of daily life. In short, social media represents one of the most dangerous fronts of fifth-generation warfare on a global scale.
