Afghanistan Blames Pakistani Origin IS Militants For Increasing Terror Attacks

Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have escalated as Kabul's Taliban authorities accused dozens of Islamic State (IS) group militants from Pakistan of being killed or captured in Afghanistan over the past year.

The response comes in the wake of Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir's recent remarks highlighting the involvement of Afghan nationals in terrorist incidents within Pakistan, emphasising its impact on regional peace and stability.

Notably, the Pakistan Foreign Office had previously spoke about the role of terrorists with links in Afghanistan in a recent attack on Zhob cantonment in Pakistan.

The rising tension is rooted in a surge of suicide attacks in Pakistan, with Islamabad asserting that terrorists often receive assistance from Afghan counterparts.

Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid addressed the issue, stating that their forces had eliminated 18 Pakistani citizens over the past year who were involved in bombings and attacks as members of the IS.

He further noted that several others were held in Afghan prisons.

The recent accusations mark the first time that the Taliban authorities publicly point fingers at Pakistani nationals for attacks within Afghanistan.

Pakistan claims that, despite the Taliban's pledge of not allowing Afghan territory to be used by foreign militants for launching attacks abroad, as stipulated in their deal with the US for withdrawing from Afghanistan, safe haven for terrorists are still available in Afghanistan.

Recently, Afghanistan's defence minister cautioned security units against engaging in activities outside Afghanistan, stating that such actions were not religiously sanctioned 'jihad', but rather forbidden warfare according to supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.