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Islamabad – February 2026 -The 37th report by the United Nations Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team underscores Afghanistan’s continuing role as a hub for terrorist activity affecting Pakistan and the wider region. According to the report, terrorist groups, including Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), and ISIL-Khorasan (ISKP), are actively operating within Afghan territory, with operational capabilities targeting Pakistani security forces and civilian infrastructure.
The report highlights that cross-border attacks originating from Afghanistan have increased, fueled by the Taliban de facto authorities granting operational freedom and support to these groups. TTP, in particular, has intensified attacks against Pakistan, resulting in military confrontations and civilian casualties, including the Islamabad courthouse attack on 11 November 2025 that claimed 12 lives. AQIS leadership, including Osama Mahmoud and his deputy Yahya Ghauri, are reported to be based in Kabul and are increasingly focused on external operations.
ISKP remains active in northern Afghanistan, particularly in Badakhshan and regions near the Pakistan border, maintaining substantial combat and operational capacity. The report also notes that weapons used in attacks against Pakistan, including advanced assault rifles, night-vision devices, sniper systems, and drones, have been traced back to Afghan stockpiles left by former coalition partners.
The UN report explicitly rejects claims by the Taliban that no terrorist groups are present in Afghanistan, emphasizing that regional states do not support this view. The continued support and patronage provided by the de facto authorities to these groups, particularly TTP and Al-Qaida, exacerbate regional instability and pose a direct threat to Pakistan, Iran, Central Asian Republics, and Chinese nationals involved in regional projects.
The Monitoring Team calls for increased vigilance, cross-border coordination, intelligence sharing, and international cooperation to address the growing threats emanating from Afghanistan, while warning that without accountability, Afghanistan’s territory will continue to serve as a launchpad for terrorism and violence.
Read more :Afghanistan Increasingly Viewed as Regional Terrorism Hub Amid Cross-Border Threats
