In a stark warning to regional powers, Alexander Bortnikov, Director of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), has revealed that ISIS and its affiliated networks have significantly escalated their operations in Afghanistan—an alarming trend he says now poses a direct threat to the security architecture of Central and South Asia. Addressing the 18th Meeting of Heads of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Counter terrorism Agencies in Moscow, Bortnikov said international terrorist leadership is increasingly reliant on networks of militants based in Afghanistan and Syria. He drew attention to the mobilisation of former detainees released in Syria, many of whom are nationals of Russia, the Caucasus, and Central Asian republics—now being absorbed into the ranks of jihadist groups.
“The operational infrastructure of global terrorism is shifting,” Bortnikov warned. “The instability emanating from the Middle East, Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan is converging into a coordinated extremist nexus that threatens the collective security of the CIS region.” He cited ongoing regime change efforts in Syria, the war in Gaza, sustained geopolitical pressure on Iran, and the protracted crisis in Libya as key accelerants of Islamic radicalism. Despite these challenges, Bortnikov highlighted the efforts of CIS intelligence services, which in the past year alone prevented over 550 planned terrorist and extremist acts, identified more than 5,500 individuals linked to terror networks, and launched prosecutions against over 1,500 suspects.
His warning echoed that of Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov, who, during a recent meeting of the CSTO Defence Ministers’ Council, disclosed that more than 20 extremist groups—comprising over 15,000 fighters—are currently active in Afghanistan and increasingly threatening neighbouring states through cross-border infiltration and ideological influence.
The Taliban swiftly rejected the claims. In a statement from its spokesperson’s office, the group asserted that no unauthorised armed groups are currently operating within Afghanistan. It alleged that such organisations had been fostered during the U.S. military occupation and have since been dismantled.
Yet, in a contradictory development, the Taliban confirmed conducting a raid against ISIS in Kabul earlier this week. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid reported that two ISIS fighters were killed and a cache of weapons and ammunition was recovered in a targeted night operation in the capital’s 15th security district.
The escalation of militant activity in Afghanistan has reignited global concerns over the country’s potential to serve as a safe haven for transnational jihadist movements, with Russian officials calling for enhanced regional coordination to prevent a new wave of terrorism from destabilising Eurasia.
