Pakistan has once again highlighted the growing danger posed by terrorist organizations operating from Afghanistan, as ISIS and affiliated extremist networks consolidate bases across Afghan territory to plan and execute attacks that threaten Pakistan and the wider region. While past incidents, including the attack on Levies personnel in Nushki, underscore the severity of these threats, Pakistani authorities continue to take proactive measures to neutralize cross-border terrorism and safeguard national stability.
Intelligence sources indicate that ISIS maintains entrenched operational centers inside Afghanistan, which serve as training grounds, logistical hubs, and planning bases for attacks targeting Pakistan, Afghanistan, and even beyond. These Afghan bases have enabled ISIS militants to recruit, train, and coordinate operations with alarming efficiency, allowing them to strike at security forces, infrastructure, and civilian targets across the region.
The Nushki attack, in which two Levies personnel were killed while intercepting an ISIS logistical convoy, exemplifies the real and present danger emanating from these Afghan-based networks. Such incidents highlight the critical need for vigilance and preemptive counterterrorism measures, which Pakistani security forces have consistently undertaken through coordinated intelligence operations, border monitoring, and targeted counterterror strikes.
Statements from Afghan sources, including Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, have acknowledged that ISIS-K leaders, including Shahab al-Muhajir and his associates, are operating from safe havens within Afghanistan. These bases are reportedly used to orchestrate attacks, train operatives, and maintain contacts with ISIS central leadership, enabling sustained militant operations across the region.
Pakistan remains committed to neutralizing threats emanating from Afghan territory through a combination of intelligence-sharing, enhanced border security, and collaboration with regional partners. Security analysts note that disrupting ISIS operations at their Afghan bases is crucial to preventing their expansion into Pakistan and other neighboring countries.
Officials stress that Pakistan’s approach to counterterrorism is both proactive and strategic. By monitoring extremist activities across the border, intercepting militant movements, and neutralizing operational networks, Pakistan aims to contain regional threats at their source while safeguarding its citizens and contributing to broader regional stability.
The continued presence of ISIS in Afghanistan underscores the urgent need for regional cooperation, intelligence coordination, and robust preventive measures. Pakistani authorities reaffirm their resolve to counter terrorism decisively and to ensure that cross-border extremist networks are dismantled before they can destabilize the country or the region.
