The Taliban* has said that it possesses documentary "evidence" pointing towards the involvement of "Pakistani Daesh**" militants in attacks in Afghanistan, according to an English-language statement by the group on Wednesday.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that at least 18 Daesh fighters who were allegedly involved in “explosions and attacks” in Afghanistan in recent months were found to be from Pakistan.
He said that “dozens” of Daesh militants from Pakistan have also been “captured alive” by the Taliban forces. The Taliban spokesperson alleged that Afghan intelligence has been effectively thwarting a “big conspiracy” to attack clerics and seminaries in Afghanistan.
“It should be noted that, instead of blaming Pakistan, the government of Afghanistan has strengthened its security measures,” Mujahid said.
He further called for a “common solution” to address the menace of Daesh’s terrorist activities.
Without naming any country, Mujahid said that Kabul has shared relevant information about Daesh’s activities with other countries in the region, but blamed these nations for not taking “immediate action”.
The statement was made in response to a “recent terrorist incident” in Pakistan, an apparent reference to the suicide blast in Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on July 30.
The bombing, which resulted in deaths of 44 Pakistanis and injured over 100 people, has reportedly been claimed by Daesh.
The security incident triggered a strong response from the Pakistani authorities, who have warned of carrying out strikes inside Afghanistan.
Islamabad has accused the Taliban of not acting against banned terrorist group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)***, which has mounted several deadly attacks in Pakistan since the Taliban came back to power in Kabul in August 2021.
Not Responsible for ‘Security Failure’ of Any Country, Taliban Says
Reiterating Taliban’s stance that the group won’t allow the Afghan territory to be used against any other country, Mujahid said that Afghanistan wasn’t, at the same time, responsible for “security failure” of any other nation.
“Pakistan should manage its security situation carefully and find a solution for it in their territory,” Mujahid said.
The Taliban spokesperson underlined that Afghanistan was still reeling under the effects of US-led “foreign invasion”, as he also called out the “wrong policies” of some countries in the region for their backing of Washington's ‘War on Terror’.
* The Taliban is under UN sanctions over extremism.
** banned terrorist group
*** a terrorist organization banned in Russia and India.