An issue closely followed by Pakistani authorities is Afghan citizens involvement in terrorist activities in their country. It indicates that Pakistani security forces continue to battle Afghan linked militants as they are doing in North Waziristan District as of late. According to latest operation, 12 terrorists, including 7 Afghan nationals, were neutralized. The security situation in Pakistan continues to be threatened by the cross-border presence of terrorist factions, as proven by this incident.

One of the killed militants in North Waziristan stands out especially: Musa, official of the Afghan General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI)

One of the killed militants in North Waziristan stands out especially: Musa, official of the Afghan General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI). The discovery of an Afghan intelligence official involved in terrorist acts inside Pakistan has raised severe questions over the complicity of Afghan institutions in promoting or at least turning a blind eye to extremist elements. Musa’s involvement, therefore, appears to indicate that some of Afghanistan’s intelligence or security apparatus either look the other way or are actively assisting militant networks to operate against Pakistan. Globally, this has increased further the long held Pakistani concerns about Afghanistan being used as a launchpad for terrorist activities.

This is compounded by Musa’s familial background. Now, his father Sahib Dad is in the Afghan Ministry of Interior and is well documented to have links with the militant group Fitna Al Khawarij (FAK). This group has orchestrated many attacks within Pakistan and their actions have contributed to worsening of ties between the neighboring countries in terms of security. The fact that Sahib Dad played an active part in recruiting villagers of Bashakkar in Deh Sabz District, Kabul Province, for FAK, represents an alarming pattern of organized recruitment for the purposes of terrorism. The matter of direct links to extremist elements and facilitation of militancy must be seen as a deep-rooted issue impacting Pakistan’s national security largely due to radicalisation occurring in Afghanistan.

The successful diplomatic engagements and security negotiations have not been able to prevent Afghan borders from being habitats of the terrorist factions that fuel instability in Pakistan’s border regions

Afghanistan remains a sanctuary for different terrorist outfits like TTP, as Musa and other Afghan nationals have been active in terrorist operations in Pakistan, a claim that reinforces Islamabad’s stance on the issue. These groups have repeatedly been accused by Pakistan of being given safe havens by them in Afghanistan. The successful diplomatic engagements and security negotiations have not been able to prevent Afghan borders from being habitats of the terrorist factions that fuel instability in Pakistan’s border regions.

Such terrorist networks have also employed infiltrations through such means as the entry into Pakistan of militant commander Yaru along with Musa. If they had to move within Afghanistan and they managed to cross the border, it is either a failure on the part of the Afghan counterterrorism measures or there was active effort on the Afghan part to help them in doing so. The seriousness of the threat posed to it by Afghan affiliated militants based in Pakistan is also testified by the fact that they were subsequently killed in an anti-terror operation by Pakistani forces.

For a long time, Pakistan has pushed for stronger cooperation with Afghanistan to fight terrorism. But incidents like this one do lead to questions about whether the Afghan government is either unable or unwilling to restrain terrorist activity emanating from Afghan soil. The presence of these groups — FAK, TTP and many more — has persisted inside Afghanistan and tested those relations.

Not only has the killing of Musa and other Afghan militants in North Waziristan shown a growth of the threat itself but also brought into better view the broader geopolitical implications of Afghanistan’s internal instability

Not only has the killing of Musa and other Afghan militants in North Waziristan shown a growth of the threat itself but also brought into better view the broader geopolitical implications of Afghanistan’s internal instability. Having been let alone due to decades of conflict that have left Afghanistan’s security infrastructure weakened, various militant factions have found refuge with the borders of Afghanistan and continue exploiting the absence of benign governance by crossing over to the Afghanistan border to fight. Pakistan, which has been fighting homegrown as well as externally sponsored terrorism for years, is already under enormous strain in this scenario.

This came shortly after the Afghan Taliban government, which entered power in August 2021, has promised to stop its land from being used for its purpose. Yet reports of continuing militant activity indicates that this commitment is still difficult to enforce. But then, if Afghan officials with state ties, such as Musa and his father Sahib Dad, are proven to be terrorist sponsored, then Pakistan’s protest over the Afghan government’s sincerity in taking on terrorism also finds much more ground. Afghan officials have links with terrorist groups operating inside and from Pakistan and this cannot be drawn in the blind and remain unscrutinized at regional and international levels.

Addressing this issue will require Pakistan to heighten counterterrorism measures, improve border security, and enhance intelligence sharing. In dismantling terrorist networks, it is vital that there be coordinated efforts with Afghanistan and other regional stakeholders. Furthermore, the international community must exert pressure on Afghanistan to act decisively against those groups that undermine the peace of the region.

To address this transnational security challenge, there is a need for regional cooperation, enforcements of stronger counterterrorism policies and international interventions

Moreover, the recruiting of fighters from Afghan villages such as Bashakkar demonstrates the problem of radicalization run deep and should be approached as the larger issue. Blending efforts at counter radicalization with investments for economic development would assist in curbing extremist recruitment. The cycle of terrorism is less likely to end unless Pakistan deploys such measures which will ultimately continue to endanger Pakistan’s stability.

To conclude, Afghan nationals’ involvement in terrorist activities in Pakistan, including the recent killings of Musa and others, is a clear indication that terrorists continue to threaten Pakistan’s security from Afghanistan. Pakistan is not wrong to voice concerns about terrorist sanctuaries in its neighboring country and proactive steps need to be taken to stop further intrusions. To address this transnational security challenge, there is a need for regional cooperation, enforcements of stronger counterterrorism policies and international interventions. Unless Afghanistan takes firm action against the militant groups that are operating within its territory, the repercussions will be not only for Pakistan but will have a much wider destabilizing impact to the region.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.