Profile of Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi’s Combatants in Post-9/11 Afghanistan: A Socio-Demographic

Abstract

This study examines the profiles of combatants who participated in the post-9/11 Afghan ‘jihad’ from Dir, Pakistan and explores the associated psychological and economic conditions affecting their families. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected through unstructured interviews and analyzed thematically. The research includes detailed tables profiling combatants based on age, education, sect affiliation, and family structure. Key findings reveal that a majority of combatants were illiterate, unemployed, and affiliated with the Deobandi sect. The study also highlights that most combatants’ families remain uncertain about their loved ones’ status, leading to unresolved grief and psychological distress. Additionally, the research provides insights into the economic hardships faced by the families, such as high unemployment rates and large family sizes. This comprehensive profiling of combatants, coupled with the examination of family conditions, offers valuable insights into the socio-economic and psychological dimensions of the post-9/11 Afghan Jihad’s impact on the local population.