In a significant development, it has been revealed that the Taliban are facilitating the transfer of the bodies of 50 Afghan militants associated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to Afghanistan. These fighters were killed in a clash with the Pakistani army in Sambaza, a region located on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in Balochistan, two weeks ago.
Sources confirmed on August 22 that the bodies of the slain fighters are being returned to their families in various provinces of Afghanistan, nearly two weeks after the military operation that resulted in their deaths.
On August 11, the Pakistani army reported that it had successfully neutralized 50 members of the TTP during an operation in Sambaza, which is strategically located along the border with Afghanistan. In addition to the casualties, the operation led to the seizure of a significant amount of weapons, ammunition, and explosives.
Security sources indicated that approximately 90% of the killed fighters were Afghan nationals, primarily members of the faction led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur, a prominent leader known for his anti-Pakistan stance. This group is considered a major threat, having previously been identified as a military wing of the TTP. Hafiz Gul Bahadur’s faction has been responsible for numerous attacks against Pakistani security forces.
This operation and its aftermath further highlight the ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, especially regarding the presence of militant groups in the region. Pakistan has long accused the Taliban of harboring these terrorist factions, including the TTP, and has repeatedly called for action to prevent cross-border terrorism. The Taliban, however, has denied these allegations, insisting that no such groups are operating from Afghan soil.
In a related development, Pakistan’s representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmed, recently warned the UN Security Council that the TTP, with an estimated 6,000 fighters, represents the “biggest and most immediate threat” to Pakistan’s security. This assertion has been echoed by UN experts, who recently reported that the Taliban’s control over Afghanistan has provided a sanctuary for foreign terrorist organisations, posing a serious risk to the security of Central Asia and surrounding regions.
The latest developments in the Sambaza region underscore the urgent security challenges facing Pakistan, which continues to call for international action to curb the growing threat posed by these cross-border militant groups.
