ISIS-Khorasan has emerged as the most serious security challenge inside Afghanistan, yet the Afghan government’s response remains questionable. Instead of taking decisive action against all militant outfits, Kabul has allowed groups like Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) to find shelter and operate freely on its soil. These groups, despite sharing extremist roots, have developed tactical understandings to counter ISIS-K, creating an alarming nexus of militancy under the Afghan government’s watch.
International pressure has forced Kabul to announce occasional arrests of TTP operatives. However, security experts view these actions as mere eyewash and face-saving measures to pacify foreign concerns rather than a genuine counterterrorism strategy. While ISIS-K continues to expand its propaganda and carry out attacks, the Afghan government appears more invested in protecting or tolerating other militant factions that serve its regional interests.
Analysts warn that unless Kabul abandons its selective policy and acts comprehensively against all armed groups, Afghanistan risks further instability and becoming an even larger hub for international terrorism.
