A condolence gathering held in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province for an Afghan national linked with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has raised fresh questions about the presence of support networks for terrorism operating across the border.
According to sources, Osama Haider, an Afghan national from Surkh Rud district of Nangarhar province, was eliminated during a security forces’ intelligence-based operation in Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on July 11.
Sources said Haider had entered Pakistan after being recruited to fight alongside the banned TTP and was involved in terrorist activities.
After his body was transported to his native village of Koz Kakrak in Surkh Rud district, a condolence gathering was reportedly organized on July 15, where banners described him as a “Muhajir Shaheed”.
Local Taliban figures and residents attended the gathering, where participants offered condolences to his family and held prayers for the deceased.
The development has drawn attention because such gatherings for individuals eliminated during counterterrorism operations in Pakistan have previously been reported in Afghanistan and other locations, according to security sources.
Officials and security analysts have repeatedly highlighted that the identification of foreign nationals involved in terrorist activities inside Pakistan provides evidence of cross-border linkages and the continued presence of support structures for militant networks.
The case has also raised questions regarding the apparent contradiction between statements attributed to the Afghan Taliban leadership and activities linked with individuals allegedly involved with anti-Pakistan terrorist groups.
The Afghan Taliban leadership has previously stated that Afghan soil would not be used against other countries, and that armed activities outside Afghanistan, particularly against Pakistan, were not justified. However, incidents involving Afghan nationals allegedly linked with terrorist networks operating against Pakistan have continued to fuel concerns in Islamabad.
Security sources have stated that identities of hundreds of Afghan nationals eliminated during counterterrorism operations in Pakistan have been established, with their photographs, names, and family details documented.
The Bajaur incident is being viewed by Pakistani security officials as another indication of the challenge posed by foreign-linked terrorist networks and the need for stronger measures against cross-border terrorism.
Pakistan has repeatedly urged Afghan authorities to prevent the use of Afghan territory by terrorist organisations, particularly groups targeting Pakistan. The issue has remained a central concern in Pakistan’s security and diplomatic engagements with Kabul.
