MOSCOW: Russia’s Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu has warned that Afghanistan remains a major source of terrorism and narcotics-related threats for regional countries, saying thousands of terrorists linked to various terrorist groups continue to operate freely inside the country.
Speaking at the 21st Meeting of the Secretaries of Security Councils of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Shoigu said between 18,000 and 23,000 terrorists affiliated with more than 20 terrorist groups were currently active in Afghanistan, Russia’s state-run TASS news agency reported.
Shoigu said around 3,000 terrorists linked to the Islamic State group were also present in Afghanistan, underscoring growing concerns among SCO member states over terrorism and cross-border security threats originating from the country.
The Russian Security Council chief warned about the movement of foreign fighters from Syria into Afghanistan and the expansion of terrorist infrastructure in the region.
He said there were increasing numbers of Uyghur, Tajik and Uzbek terrorists relocating from Syria to Afghanistan.
According to Shoigu, these fighters were previously associated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria.
Shoigu expressed serious concern over the possibility of security spillover into Central Asia and other parts of the SCO region.
The remarks reflected Moscow’s assessment that security threats linked to Afghanistan remain unresolved despite assurances by the Taliban regime regarding counterterrorism efforts.
Drug trafficking and methamphetamine production
Shoigu also raised alarm over Afghanistan’s growing role in the production and trafficking of drugs, particularly methamphetamine.
He said more than 30 tonnes of methamphetamine were seized along Afghanistan’s borders with neighbouring countries in 2025, according to Afghan media outlet Amaaj News.
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu says between 18,000 and 23,000 militants affiliated with more than 20 terrorist groups are currently active in Afghanistan.
Speaking on Thursday at the 21st Meeting of the Secretaries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization… pic.twitter.com/hQ3SupC14h
— Aamaj News English (@aamajnews_EN) May 14, 2026
According to Shoigu, nearly four million people in Afghanistan remain involved in narcotics cultivation under the Taliban regime.
Shoigu said the narcotics trade continued to pose a major threat to regional stability and organised crime networks across Central Asia.
Terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan
Afghanistan continues to remain a major regional security concern due to the presence of terrorist groups and the country’s role in global narcotics trafficking.
Pakistan has repeatedly expressed concern over the presence of terrorist sanctuaries inside Afghanistan, particularly those linked to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorist group.
TTP is involved in various terrorist attacks inside Pakistan, as the terrorist group enjoys support from the Taliban regime and freely operates in Afghanistan.
According to reports, TTP terrorists and their families relocated to eastern Afghan provinces, including Khost, Paktika, Paktia and Kunar, following the Taliban’s return to power in Kabul in 2021.
According to reports, some Afghan Taliban commanders are acting as facilitators for TTP terrorists, helping them regroup after attacks inside Pakistan.
