Armed fighting broke out between Taliban forces and Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) militants in eastern Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province on Thursday, underscoring the persistent instability and militant violence that has gripped the country since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021.
Local sources reported that the confrontation occurred in the Darah Noor district, an area that has seen repeated clashes between rival armed factions vying for control. ISKP, the Afghan affiliate of the Islamic State group, later issued a statement claiming its fighters had killed one Taliban combatant and wounded another during the exchange of fire.
The Taliban’s interim administration, which continues to face armed resistance from ISKP and other groups, has not issued any official comment on the incident. The absence of a statement comes amid mounting criticism over its inability to fully contain insurgent activity, despite its repeated claims of having restored security across Afghanistan.
ISKP has carried out dozens of high-profile attacks over the past three years, targeting Taliban officials, religious gatherings, and civilian areas, often causing mass casualties. The group views the Taliban as an ideological rival and has sought to undermine its rule through assassinations, bombings, and cross-border attacks.
Analysts say the ongoing clashes between the two extremist factions reflect deeper power struggles and a lack of centralized control, leaving civilians in affected regions vulnerable to violence from both sides. Residents in parts of Nangarhar have reported increased fear and disruption to daily life, with local communities caught between Taliban crackdowns and ISKP reprisals.
The province of Nangarhar, which shares a porous border with Pakistan, has long been a stronghold for militant groups and a key transit route for fighters and weapons. Security experts warn that as long as both the Taliban and ISKP operate freely, the region will remain a flashpoint for armed conflict and instability.
