Islamabad/Rennes – A condolence ceremony for an Afghan national linked with the proscribed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), who was killed in a Pakistani security forces operation in Bajaur district, was reportedly held in Rennes City, France. The development was first reported by Mahaz, an X-based open-source intelligence platform, which also shared visuals from the event.
According to details, the individual identified as Mulla Sadam alias Huzaifa, son of Abdul Baqi and a resident of Police District 3, Kunduz province, Afghanistan, was among four TTP fighters killed on October 19 during an operation conducted by Pakistani security forces in Bajaur. Three of those killed were Afghan citizens.
Mahaz reported that “Mulla Sadam’s first condolence ceremony (Fatiha) was held at Jamia Masjid Khama Karee in Kunduz province on October 24,” while “a second ceremony took place in France, at Masjid Attaqwa, 17 Boulevard du Portugal, Rennes, on October 26, from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm.” The gathering reportedly drew a large number of Afghans residing in the area, with a video of the event circulating online.
Mulla Sadam’s family includes his brothers, Talib and Muhammad Haroon, and his uncle, Shah Ghasi.
The incident has raised serious questions for French authorities, including the Ministry of Interior, about the legality and security implications of hosting condolence ceremonies for individuals affiliated with internationally proscribed militant organizations.
Observers warn that such gatherings could potentially serve as “soft propaganda platforms for extremist narratives” and undermine France’s broader counterterrorism efforts. The episode underscores ongoing concerns about Taliban-linked networks leveraging European spaces for influence and recruitment under the guise of community or religious events.
Meanwhile, in a separate development under Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, on October 24–25, 2025, movements of two large groups of khwarij opposite the general areas of Ghaki (Kurram District) and Spinwam (North Waziristan District), attempting to infiltrate across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, were detected by security forces.
According to Pakistan’s military wing, “As a result of precise and skillful engagements, fifteen khwarij including four suicide bombers belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al-Khwarij were sent to hell in Spinwam, North Waziristan District. Another ten infiltrating khwarij were killed in Ghaki, Kurram District.” Pakistan refers to Fitna al-Khwarij as Afghanistan-based TTP militants.
During the intense exchange of fire, five Pakistani soldiers, Havildar Manzoor Hussain (35, Ghizar), Sepoy Nauman Ilyas Kiyani (23, Poonch), Sepoy Muhammad Adil (24, Kasur), Sepoy Shah Jehan (25, Vehari), and Sepoy Ali Asghar (25, Pakpattan), fought gallantly and embraced shahadat (martyrdom).
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that “the Security Forces of Pakistan remain resolute and unwavering in their commitment to defend the nation’s frontiers, and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve.”
A sanitization operation is ongoing to eliminate any remaining Indian-sponsored khwarij in the area. Pakistan’s relentless counterterrorism campaign continues under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam, with officials noting that “these infiltration attempts by Fitna al-Khwarij come at a time when delegations from Pakistan and Afghanistan are engaged in peace talks in Türkiye, casting doubts on the intentions of the Interim Afghan Government in addressing terrorism originating from its soil.”
The operation, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, continues at full pace to eradicate the menace of foreign-sponsored terrorism.
Pakistan has repeatedly urged Kabul to ensure effective border management and fulfill its obligations under the Doha Agreement, denying the use of Afghan territory for militant activity against Pakistan.
In a weekly media briefing on 24th October 2025, Pakistan’s Foreign Office Spokesperson said the Istanbul round of talks builds on earlier discussions held in Doha, which primarily focused on halting terrorist attacks emanating from Afghan soil. The FO emphasized the need for a “verifiable and empirical mechanism” to ensure that the Afghan Taliban Regime in Kabul take concrete steps to prevent such incidents. It added that the Doha dialogue led to a ceasefire that “largely continues to hold,” terming it a positive outcome. The statement reaffirmed that Pakistan is participating in the Istanbul talks “with the same sincerity of purpose and intent” as it did in Doha.
