Pakistan’s military has raised the alarm over the relocation of 2,500 militants from Syria to Afghanistan, emphasizing the Afghan Taliban’s role as the overarching authority for terrorist groups operating from the country.
Speaking at a press conference at army headquarters, Lieutenant General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, the military spokesperson, stressed that none of the transferred fighters are Pakistani nationals, highlighting the growing regional security threat.
“This is part of a broader consolidation of terrorists under the Afghan Taliban,” General Chaudhry said. “We have reliable intelligence confirming the transfer of 2,500 terrorists from Syria to Afghanistan, but not a single one is Pakistani.”
The general traced the roots of rising terrorism in the region to 2021, when the Afghan Taliban assumed power, following the Doha Agreement with the United States and international partners.
“Under that agreement, the Taliban made three commitments: to form an inclusive government, to prevent the use of Afghan soil for terrorism, and to uphold women’s rights,” he said. “Were these commitments fulfilled? No. There is no functioning government, no inclusive governance, and terrorism has not only persisted but flourished.”
General Chaudhry described Afghanistan as a “central hub where terrorists of all kinds are being nurtured,” noting that the Afghan Taliban has begun organizing the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), providing structural guidance, training, and direction.
He also criticized the Taliban’s narrative of having forced US and coalition forces to withdraw, arguing that the narrative is used to radicalize youth and bolster recruitment. “They portray themselves as the flag-bearers of Islam to manipulate impressionable minds,” he said.
The army spokesperson cited Afghanistan’s war economy as another driver of regional instability. A report by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction indicated that approximately $144 billion was invested in the country’s reconstruction. When this funding stopped, the Taliban allegedly sought to sustain their “war economy” by spreading terrorism regionally, finding new patrons and financial sponsors, with India identified as a significant backer of terrorism in Pakistan.
Islamabad-based security analyst Syed Muhammad Ali highlighted that the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) has strengthened its foothold since the Taliban returned to power. “ISKP views Taliban-controlled Afghanistan as a safe haven to regroup and plan future attacks against Western and regional targets,” Ali said. He added that former CENTCOM chief General Michael Kurilla has repeatedly warned the US Congress about the threat posed by ISKP.
Highlighting Pakistan’s counterterrorism achievements, General Chaudhry said that in 2025, the army conducted 75,175 operations across the country, eliminating 2,596 terrorists. Security personnel and civilian casualties during the same period numbered 1,235.
Amid rising border tensions, the army also warned of collusion between India and the Taliban. “Pakistan will respond decisively to any hostile actions by India or the Afghan Taliban,” the spokesperson said.
General Chaudhry concluded that Pakistan’s war on terrorism will continue with renewed focus, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where militant activity has intensified.
