TERRORIST organizations Daesh (ISIS), Al-Qaida, Eastern Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), Tehreek-e-Taliban Tajikistan (TTT), Jaish-ul-Adl (JuA), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are operating from Afghanistan against neighboring countries. These groups have established training camps in parts of Afghanistan, ironically under the patronage of the interim Afghan Taliban government, making Afghanistan a hub of terrorism. These outfits pose a serious threat to regional and global security. Daesh and Jaish ul Adl continue to target Iran, while TTP, BLA, BLF, and Majeed Brigade are involved in terrorism in Pakistan, ISIS in Russia, and ETIM in Xinjiang, China. In the 1990s, ETIM disrupted peace in Xinjiang, but China successfully eliminated its camps.
Now the ETIM is regrouping and strengthening itself in Afghanistan against China. Afghan Taliban government is providing safe havens to these terrorist organizations. Presently, China is the only country which has established diplomatic ties with Afghan Taliban. But Afghan Taliban are providing shelter to ETIM against China. This is very thankless response of Afghan Taliban to China. Pakistan, China, Iran and Russia called on Afghanistan’s Taliban government to take visible and verifiable actions to dismantle all of the terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil. The Taliban leadership needs to dismantle and eliminate all of terrorist groups and prevent Afghan territory from being used to launch attacks against neighbouring countries and beyond. China, Pakistan, Iran and Russia express concern over terror threat emanating from Afghan territory.
Pakistan, China, Iran and Russia have grave concerns about the security challenges posed by these outfits, warning that their activities threaten not only Afghanistan’s neighbours but also the region and beyond. Afghanistan’s interim government will have to prevent its territory from being used for cross-border attacks. Pakistan has consistently urged the Afghan interim government to ensure that their land should not be used for attacks against Pakistan. This is not only a matter of bilateral concern but a regional one also. Pakistan emphasizes the importance of sustained international engagement to comprehensively address the security threats. The rising number of attacks by the TTP, BLA, BLF, Majeed Brigade and other outlawed groups has jolted peace of Pakistan. Pakistan have repeatedly urged Afghanistan to take action against these groups, which Pakistan claims are using Afghan territory as a base for attacks on its soil.
Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, militant activity has surged, particularly in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan provinces, bordering Afghanistan. In August 2024 alone, 59 attacks were recorded in these regions a significant increase from 38 attacks in July. A united well calculated effort to combat terrorism may restore peace in the region. The terrorist attacks in all shapes and forms are unacceptable and highlight the pressing need for a coordinated approach to eradicate terrorism from the region. The TTP attacks in Bannu and Bisham in Pakistan, in Kirman Shah mourning procession in Iran and a coordinated terrorist attack against civilians at the city hall music venue in Crocus City, Krasnogorsk and Moscow Russia are some examples of the savageness, mindset, barbarism and agendas of different terrorist organizations operating in Afghanistan.
Interim Afghan government will has to create conditions conducive to the safe return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan and to integrate the returnees into political and social processes for a lasting solution. Pakistan, Iran and Russia are still facing serious level of terrorism while China very successfully has eliminated ETIM in Xinjiang province. On the occasion of SCO Conference being held in Islamabad on October 15-16, terrorist attacks in different parts of the country by BLA, BLF, Majeed Brigade, TTP and ETIM can happen. Security forces and intelligence agencies will have to be vigilant in this regard.
One of the most important humanitarian issues is the return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan and Iran. Since the Taliban takeover in 2021 neighbouring countries, particularly Pakistan and Iran, have once again seen a significant influx of Afghan refugees. Over five hundred thousand undocumented Afghans have already been repatriated from Pakistan as part of a campaign that began in 2023. Recently, Pakistan, Iran, Russia and China have reaffirmed commitment to Afghanistan’s long-term peace related issues, declaring that Afghanistan should be supported in taking comprehensive measures to address both the symptoms and root causes of terrorism, so that the country does not become a safe haven for terrorism and extremism.
The international community has a shared interest in a stable, peaceful and stable Pakistan. The significant threat posed by drug trafficking and organized crimes, emanating from Afghanistan should be kept in mind. Strengthening peace and stability in Afghanistan and countering the threats of terrorism and drug crimes from its territory are in line with common interests in the region. The international community is to provide predictable and sustained financial support to the countries hosting Afghan refugees since long. To eliminate terrorists in Afghanistan and terrorism in Pakistan the international community must shoulder its responsibility and provide adequate, regular, and sustainable measures and support. If agenda of the SCO is followed by the member countries it will guarantee peace and prosperity in the region.
—The writer is author of several books based in Islamabad.
