LAHORE: A report by the United Nations Monitoring Team has raised serious concerns over the continued presence and activities of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, warning that they pose a growing threat to regional security.
According to a UN Security Council report, attacks against Pakistan originating from Afghan territory have increased, further exacerbating regional tensions. The report noted that claims by Afghan authorities that no terrorist organizations are operating within the country were not accepted by any member state of the UN Security Council. It emphasized that the security situation on the ground contradicts such assertions.
According to the findings, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has enjoyed greater freedom of movement and facilitation inside Afghanistan, a development that has directly contributed to a rise in attacks targeting Pakistan. This has, in turn, led to heightened diplomatic and security concerns between the two neighboring countries.
The Security Council report stated that al-Qaeda continues to receive patronage in Afghanistan and has been providing training and advisory support, particularly to the TTP. It also highlighted reports indicating the presence of leadership figures from al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) in Kabul, raising alarms over the potential risk of planning and executing external operations.
Referring to a recent attack on a court in Islamabad, the report described the incident as indicative of a dangerous and escalating trend in militant activity. The attack resulted in the deaths of 12 people and underscored the evolving threat posed by militant networks operating across borders.
The report described the killing of TTP deputy leader Khawarij Muzahim in a Pakistani operation as a significant blow to militant groups, noting that it disrupted command structures and operational planning.
It also stated that Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) remains active in northern Afghanistan and in areas close to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, retaining notable operational capabilities despite counterterrorism efforts.
Additionally, the report highlighted that stockpiles of US and NATO weapons left behind in Afghanistan have enhanced the lethality of TTP attacks in Pakistan. According to the assessment, the TTP has increasingly used advanced weaponry, including night-vision equipment and drone systems, reflecting a worrying increase in sophistication and firepower.
