Afghanistan’s Taliban administration has accused Pakistan’s military of backing and training militants involved in cross-border infiltration…reports Asian Lite News Desk
Pakistan has been accused by Afghanistan’s Taliban administration of backing and training militant groups involved in cross-border infiltration, raising fresh concerns over regional security and instability. The allegations come amid longstanding accusations by India, Iran and several Western countries that Pakistan-based militant networks have supported extremist groups operating beyond its borders.
According to a report by South Africa-based Independent Online (IOL), the Taliban claimed that Afghan forces killed 41 militants and captured 62 others during an operation in Nuristan province. The militants were allegedly linked to Islamic State-affiliated groups and had received support from Pakistani authorities.
In a statement issued on September 29, Afghanistan’s Defence Ministry said an operation against armed groups in Kamdesh district of Nuristan had concluded, resulting in the deaths of 41 people and the arrest of 62 others.
The Taliban claimed that the fighters had infiltrated Kamdesh from across the Pakistani border with the backing of the country’s military establishment, Afghanistan International reported.
Afghanistan’s Defence Ministry accused the Pakistani military of providing “direct guidance and cooperation” to the attempted infiltration. The Taliban administration has also alleged that Pakistan is fuelling instability in Afghanistan by facilitating the recruitment, training and arming of militants on its territory.
India, Iran have also accused Pakistan
Pakistan has faced similar allegations from neighbouring countries over its alleged links with militant organisations. During the period when US forces were deployed in Afghanistan, groups such as the Haqqani Network, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) were accused of operating from Pakistani territory and carrying out attacks.
Former US Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen had previously described the Haqqani Network as “a veritable arm of Pakistan’s intelligence”.
India has repeatedly accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism, infiltrating militants into Jammu and Kashmir and backing groups responsible for attacks across the country. New Delhi has also raised the issue at international forums, citing alleged evidence of the involvement of Pakistani state actors in militant activities.
Iran has similarly accused Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), of supporting militant groups and facilitating attacks on Iranian territory. Tehran has called on Islamabad to take decisive action against organisations operating from Pakistani soil.
Iran has also warned of possible action if Pakistan fails to curb the activities of Jaish al-Adl, a militant group accused of carrying out attacks in the country.
Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari had previously alleged that the Pakistani government knew the whereabouts of the militants and that they received support from Pakistani security forces.
European authorities have also expressed concerns over Pakistan allegedly providing a safe haven for international militant organisations.
The IOL report highlighted what it described as a contradiction in Pakistan’s position, with the country now facing accusations of supporting militant infiltration into Afghanistan after previously portraying its neighbour as a source of terrorism.
It further argued that militant networks allegedly cultivated as strategic instruments against neighbouring countries have increasingly contributed to insecurity within Pakistan itself.
The latest allegations add to tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, with accusations of cross-border militancy continuing to complicate relations between the two countries.
