A serving operative of the Afghan Taliban’s elite “Yarmook Unit 60” was among the terrorists neutralized during a security operation near Baka Khel Airport in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district, according to informed sources, in a development likely to intensify concerns over the presence of anti-Pakistan terrorist networks operating from Afghan soil.
Sources said the slain terrorist, identified as Fatahullah alias Mudassar, was affiliated with “Yarmook Unit 60,” an elite force operating under Afghanistan’s Ministry of Interior. He reportedly belonged to Zarmat district in Afghanistan’s Paktia province and had been working alongside the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in terrorist activities inside Pakistan.
Security forces had neutralized him along with other terrorists during an operation conducted on April 9 near Baka Khel Airport in Bannu district.
The revelation comes amid repeated Pakistani concerns regarding the involvement of Afghan nationals in terrorist attacks and infiltration attempts across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Over recent months, security forces have repeatedly reported the presence of Afghan nationals among terrorists neutralized during intelligence-based operations in districts including Bajaur, North Waziristan, Khyber, Lakki Marwat and other terrorism-affected regions bordering Afghanistan.
Most recently, one of the four alleged perpetrators involved in the assassination of prominent JUI-F leader Sheikh Idris in Charsadda was also reported to be an Afghan national, further amplifying concerns regarding cross-border terrorist facilitation networks.
Pakistan has consistently maintained that terrorist groups including the banned TTP and the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) continue to operate from sanctuaries inside Afghanistan, despite repeated assurances and commitments made by the Afghan Taliban after returning to power in 2021.
Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban administration to prevent Afghan territory from being used against Pakistan, warning that the continued presence of anti-Pakistan terrorist organizations poses a serious threat to regional security and bilateral relations.
Pakistani officials and security sources have on multiple occasions stated that operational evidence, arrest records, intercepted communications and the identification of Afghan nationals involved in attacks point toward the continued existence of safe havens and logistical support networks across the border.
The latest revelation regarding the presence of a serving member of the Taliban’s own elite security structure among TTP-linked terrorists is likely to deepen scrutiny over Kabul’s counterterrorism commitments, particularly as Pakistan continues to witness cross-border infiltration attempts, targeted attacks and coordinated terrorist violence in bordering regions.
Security analysts believe the incident may further complicate already strained ties between Islamabad and Kabul, especially at a time when Pakistan has been demanding “verifiable and practical action” against terrorist organizations using Afghan territory for operations against Pakistan.
