Tit-for-Tat Accusations

Arshad Mehmood

In Response to Islamabad’s TTP Allegations, Afghan Taliban Claims IS-KP Operates from Pakistan. As tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan continue to simmer, the recent allegations from Kabul accusing Pakistan of harboring IS-Khorasan (IS-KP) operatives mark a significant shift in the already strained bilateral relationship.

In response to Islamabad’s repeated claims of terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil, particularly the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Afghan Taliban have now turned the tables, accusing Pakistan of sheltering IS-KP militants within its borders. Zabiullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Afghan Taliban government, has made serious accusations, stating that IS-KP has established training camps and operational centers in Pakistan, specifically in areas like Mastung, Balochistan.

The Afghan Taliban have now turned the tables, accusing Pakistan of sheltering IS-KP militants within its borders.

According to Mujahid, recent violent attacks in Kabul and Bamiyan were orchestrated by IS-KP operatives trained in these Pakistani hideouts. Taliban special units have reportedly apprehended several key members of IS-KP responsible for attacks on Afghan officials and foreign tourists. Mujahid’s statements are particularly alarming as they suggest that many IS-KP members fled Afghanistan after the Taliban intensified their crackdown on the group.

These fighters, Mujahid claimed, have since found refuge in Pakistan, where they have reestablished their bases and are now planning attacks, not only within Afghanistan but in other countries as well. The Taliban’s allegations have further complicated the dynamics between the two nations, both of which are struggling to contain rising insurgencies on their respective soils. Pakistan, on the other hand, had hoped that the return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan in 2021 would lead to a decrease in cross-border terrorism.

However, the opposite has happened. Incidents of terrorism, especially in Pakistan’s northwestern provinces bordering Afghanistan, have surged, with the TTP claiming responsibility for numerous deadly attacks targeting Pakistani security forces. Islamabad has long maintained that TTP militants, responsible for some of Pakistan’s deadliest terror attacks, have been using Afghan territory as a sanctuary.

Despite repeated requests over the past three years, Pakistan asserts that Kabul has failed to take concrete action against the TTP. The group, which shares ideological roots with the Afghan Taliban, has continued its campaign of violence, further exacerbating tensions between the two neighbors. The recent accusations by the Taliban regarding IS-KP fighters allegedly operating from Pakistani soil could worsen this already fragile situation.

Recent violent attacks in Kabul and Bamiyan were orchestrated by IS-KP operatives trained in Pakistani hideouts.

Islamabad has yet to officially respond to these new allegations, but any such claims could strain bilateral relations further, especially considering Pakistan’s precarious security situation. The increasing security challenges in Afghanistan have caught the attention of international powers. Last week, during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Pakistan, China, and Russia voiced concerns about the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan.

There is growing unease that the instability in Afghanistan could spill over into the region, particularly into Central Asia and neighboring countries like Pakistan. For Pakistan, the stakes are especially high. The resurgence of terrorism, fueled by groups like IS-KP and the TTP, has had a devastating impact on the country’s security forces and civilians alike. Border regions have seen a sharp increase in violence, with insurgents often crossing into Pakistan after launching attacks from Afghan soil.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan under the Taliban has also been grappling with internal conflicts. Despite the Taliban’s claims of victory over IS-KP, the group’s persistent attacks within Afghanistan indicate that the fight is far from over. The Taliban’s ability to maintain control over its territory and counter insurgent activities remains a key challenge, one that could have wider repercussions for regional stability. The Afghan Taliban’s public allegations of IS-KP’s presence in Pakistan mark a dramatic escalation in the rhetoric between the two governments.

Incidents of terrorism in Pakistan’s northwestern provinces have surged, with the TTP claiming responsibility for deadly attacks.

For decades, Pakistan has faced accusations from its neighbors and the international community of sheltering militants and using extremist groups as proxies to achieve geopolitical objectives. These new accusations from the Taliban, once considered Pakistan’s strategic partners, introduce an unexpected twist.

For its part, Pakistan faces mounting challenges on multiple fronts. Not only is it dealing with a domestic insurgency, but the fragile economic situation and political instability have complicated its ability to respond effectively to growing security threats.

The resurgence of the TTP, coupled with the Taliban’s recent accusations, has left Islamabad navigating a dangerous and volatile situation. Some experts caution that these accusations from Kabul may be part of a broader effort to deflect attention from Afghanistan’s security shortcomings.

With the Taliban government struggling to assert control over IS-KP, the blame-shifting could serve as a way to explain the group’s continued insurgency. Nonetheless, the charges could deepen mistrust and increase tensions, threatening cross-border cooperation on counterterrorism efforts.

The involvement of external powers like China, Russia, and the United States complicates the regional dynamic. While China and Russia share Pakistan’s concerns about the potential for terrorist groups in Afghanistan to destabilize the region, they are also closely watching Pakistan’s internal security situation. Washington, which continues to have a complex relationship with both Pakistan and Afghanistan, has remained largely on the sidelines, focusing instead on broader strategic concerns.

The Taliban’s ability to maintain control over IS-KP remains a key challenge, with wider repercussions for regional stability.

However, the growing instability in the region could compel greater involvement, particularly if terrorist activities escalate. As Afghanistan and Pakistan continue to trade accusations over the presence of terrorist groups, the prospects for improved relations appear bleak. Both countries face significant internal challenges, with the rise of IS-KP, the TTP, and other extremist groups threatening their national security.

The Taliban’s claims regarding IS-KP’s presence in Pakistan will likely add another layer of complexity to an already delicate relationship. With no official response from Pakistan as of yet, it remains to be seen how Islamabad will navigate these accusations while dealing with its security issues.

What is clear, however, is that any further deterioration in relations could have severe consequences for both countries, as well as for the broader region. The path to peace and stability in the region remains fraught with challenges, and without meaningful cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the threat posed by extremist groups like IS-KP and the TTP will likely continue to grow.

Arshad Mehmood is a conflict zone journalist with extensive experience covering the US-led invasion of Afghanistan. Associated with a prestigious American news agency, The Media Line USA. He is a highly experienced journalist with a proven track record of covering inland and across-the-border terrorism and counter-terrorism narratives and incidents.