ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security officials have strongly rejected claims by Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid that Afghanistan has been cleared of the Islamic State terrorist group, saying the Taliban regime is harbouring and supporting terrorist groups, including ISKP, and spreading disinformation to shift blame onto Pakistan.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid had claimed that Afghanistan has been cleared of ISIS and that the terrorist group is nurtured and supported in Pakistan.
According to Pakistani security officials, the Taliban spokesperson’s claim is a blatant lie from a regime which is hosting terrorists.
“Multiple UN Security Council Monitoring Team reports confirm ISKP maintains around 2,000 fighters in Afghanistan and Kunar, Nangarhar and Helmand are key terrorist hubs,” security officials said
“Following the collapse of Daesh strongholds in Syria, experienced fighters are shifting to Afghanistan. Taliban’s own militants who could not secure lucrative positions moved to ISKP, reinforcing its ranks,” security officials said.
“Afghanistan is a global terrorist hub and a major refuge for ISKP. Taliban regime breeds, shelters and exports terrorists and points fingers at Pakistan,” security officials said.
“Mujahid is a propagandist for a failed regime that harbours terrorists and tries to blame neighbours who are being targeted by his terrorist regime,” the officials stated.
Various terrorist groups, including Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and ISKP, have safe havens in Afghanistan, from where they organise attacks against Pakistan.
Pakistan has repeatedly expressed concern over the presence and activities of terrorist groups in Afghanistan.
Pakistan maintains that the Afghan Taliban regime is providing safe havens to the banned terrorist organisations, allowing its leadership and terrorists to plan, organise and launch attacks against Pakistani security forces and civilians.
The TTP, a terrorist organisation, has intensified its attacks against Pakistani security forces, police installations and civilians in recent years.
Islamabad maintains that the Afghan Taliban’s return to power in August 2021 provided the TTP with greater operational space across the border, contributing to a renewed wave of terrorism in Pakistan.
The Pakistani government has repeatedly called upon the Afghan Taliban regime to prevent Afghanistan’s territory from being used by terrorist groups for terrorist activities against neighbouring countries.
According to Pakistan’s security sources, the elimination of two Afghan-based ISKP operatives in Bajaur highlights the cross-border security threat emanating from terrorist networks operating in Afghanistan. The killing of Afghan nationals signifies that ISKP’s operational roots lie beyond Pakistan’s borders.
Pakistan’s counterterrorism operations against ISKP have already yielded global acknowledgement. Pakistan’s anti-terrorism operations reflect Islamabad’s unwavering resolve to eliminate all terrorist threats, irrespective of their origin and affiliation.
The continued emergence of Afghan-based terrorist operatives in attacks against Pakistan demands coordinated international engagement, effective counterterrorism measures and concrete action against terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan.
The global inaction risks allowing these terrorist networks to expand their reach and further destabilise the region, security sources said.
