Da’ish and its affiliates such as Afghanistan-based Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, now armed with NATO-calibre weapons, continue to pose a serious threat in conflict zones and neighbouring countries, two UN counter-terrorism officials told the Security Council.
Vladimir Voronkov, head of the UN Counter-Terrorism Office and Natalia Gherman, Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, briefed the 15-member council on Friday, after presenting the 17th report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by Da’ish to international peace and security.
The report said, “With the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, member states expressed concern over the proliferation of large quantities of weapons and other military equipment within Afghanistan and into neighbouring states. “Regional member states reported that North Atlantic Treaty Organisation-calibre weapons typically associated with the former Afghan National Defence and security forces were being transferred to ISIL-K by groups affiliated with the Taliban and al-Qaida, such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.”
Pakistan has been drawing the international community’s attention to the increasing attacks by the TTP, now equipped with advanced weapons left behind by US-led coalition forces withdrawing from Afghanistan and fleeing Afghan troops.
According to the report, Da’ish has “created a so-called Industry committee within its structures to explore new avenues for advancement in weaponry, such as improvised explosive devices and increased payloads for drones.”
