A series of terrorist attacks against Chinese workers in various parts of Afghanistan confirm a renewed surge in terrorism with serious socio-economic, geopolitical and geostrategic repercussions for the region and beyond.
Recent reports reveal that five Chinese nationals were killed in an attack on the Dayulong Zeren Mining Company’s operations in the Chah-Ab district of Takhar, Afghanistan. Several workers were reportedly abducted and company equipment and processing units were destroyed by fire, underscoring the growing vulnerability of Chinese interests.
The killing and targeting of Chinese nationals has emerged as a dangerous new flashpoint in Afghanistan. Earlier incidents included the killing of two Chinese citizens through a drone attack and the shooting of three others in different areas, indicating a deliberate and coordinated pattern. This strategic violence points to the presence of hostile intelligence networks, with strong indications of Indian RAW and Israeli secret agency operations. Beijing is particularly concerned about Afghanistan’s northeastern province of Badakhshan turning into a militant hub. The mountainous region borders Pakistan and provides Afghanistan’s only land link to China’s northwestern Xinjiang region.
On November 27, 2025, an attack launched from Badakhshan killed five Chinese workers and wounded five others employed by a joint Chinese-Tajik gold mining company in southern Tajikistan, further alarming Beijing. Reports suggest that Uyghur militants are active in the area, with possible links to the Uyghur diaspora and Xinjiang. The attackers were allegedly members of the Turkestan Islamic Party, an extremist group blamed by China for unrest in Xinjiang and referred to as the East Turkestan Islamic Movement.
In response to rising threats, Pakistan and China jointly called for more “visible and verifiable” measures to eliminate terrorist organizations operating from Afghan soil and to prevent Afghanistan from being used for militancy against any country. This commitment was reiterated in a joint statement following talks between Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on December 4, 2025. Both sides emphasized that terrorist groups based in Afghanistan continue to pose serious threats to regional and global security.
The creation of a new special police unit to protect Chinese nationals is a step in the right direction. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, during a meeting with China’s Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong, reaffirmed that the safety of Chinese citizens and projects of mutual interest remains a top priority. This reflects Pakistan’s sincere efforts to ensure the security of Chinese workers and businessmen.
During the meeting, both sides announced the establishment of the specialized police unit in Islamabad, along with joint police training programs and a rapid response mechanism for intelligence sharing on terrorist threats. This unit complements existing measures, including an army brigade deployed in Balochistan to protect Chinese nationals working on CPEC projects, the construction of hundreds of new checkpoints and the installation of protective barriers near key infrastructure.
Comparative assessments indicate that a surge in cross-border terrorist incidents compelled Pakistani authorities to adopt comprehensive security measures. Despite mediation efforts in Doha, Istanbul and Saudi Arabia, no substantial progress has been achieved in restoring stability between Pakistan and Afghanistan. DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry disclosed that 80 per cent of terrorist incidents in Pakistan occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, describing the situation as a politically permissive environment for militants and highlighting an emerging nexus between political and militant elements.
He noted that the prevailing environment allowed extremist groups to organize, establish facilitation networks and repeatedly challenge the writ of the state, adversely affecting national security. The absence of an inclusive government in Afghanistan has enabled multiple terrorist organizations to operate from its territory. Groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, TTA, MB, FS, Daesh and IS-KP have expanded their activities from Afghan soil. The presence and operationalization of Israeli intelligence networks in Afghanistan further compounds regional security concerns. Additionally, the relocation of around 2,500 militants from Syria to Afghanistan poses a serious threat to regional peace and stability.
Nevertheless, 2025 proved to be a landmark year in Pakistan’s fight against terrorism. Security forces launched an extensive nationwide campaign in response to a sharp rise in attacks. According to DG ISPR, an average of more than 206 intelligence-based operations were conducted daily during the year, bringing the total to 75,175 operations. Most were carried out in Balochistan, with 58,778 operations, followed by 14,658 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 1,739 elsewhere.
The killing of 2,597 militants in 2025, including 1,803 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and 784 in Balochistan, demonstrates the defence forces’ resolve and zero tolerance for terrorism. A total of 27 suicide bombers were neutralized, with 16 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and 10 in Balochistan. Activating the China-Pakistan-Afghanistan trilateral counterterrorism framework, replicating the Syrian model in Afghanistan, establishing comprehensive drone surveillance, deploying robotic soldiers and enhancing real-time intelligence sharing are essential steps toward eradicating terrorism and stabilizing the region. These measures reinforce regional cooperation, safeguard strategic investments, counter emerging proxy threats and ensure that terrorism is confronted through coordinated military, intelligence and diplomatic efforts, thereby strengthening China-Pakistan relations and shaping the regional power game in South and Central Asia.
—The writer is President, the Centre for Knowledge and Public Policy, Regional Expert: China, CPEC, BRI & World Affairs.
