Islamabad – Fresh evidence has emerged of the complex militant nexus operating out of Afghanistan, as reports from Kabul reveal that the Tehrik-i-Taliban Afghanistan (TTA) has abandoned hundreds of its own former fighters, many of whom have now been absorbed into the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Reports suggest, on 7 August 2025, around 500–600 ex-Pakistani nationals who had once fought alongside the TTA against United States and NATO forces were summoned by the Interim Afghan Government (IAG) in Shah Shaheed area of Kabul. The meeting, reportedly overseen by Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, offered the fighters stipends but no jobs. When many refused, they were told to either return to Pakistan or join other militant outfits, including the TTP. Their weapons were confiscated, and a large number have since drifted into the TTP’s fold.
From “Mujahideen” to Disposable Assets
Analysts in Islamabad argue the development exposes the exploitative underpinnings of the TTA. The same men once glorified as “mujahideen” are now discarded, reduced to bargaining chips in Kabul’s attempt to manage armed networks.
Critics describe the move as part of a broader “warlord culture” in Afghanistan, where leaders who once fought as insurgents now act as militant recruiters rather than state-builders.
Afghan Soil as a Terror Launchpad
The redirection of fighters into the TTP underscores Pakistan’s longstanding concern that Afghan soil continues to serve as a base for cross-border terrorism. Pakistani military operations have repeatedly uncovered Afghan nationals fighting alongside TTP militants inside Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Compounding concerns, authorities in Islamabad point to the discovery of Indian-sponsored weapons in militant caches, which they say indicates external actors are colluding with Afghan-based groups to destabilize Pakistan.
A “Terrorism Franchise”
Security analysts describe the TTA’s approach as a ‘terrorism franchise model’, handing over fighters to allied groups like TTP or Fidayeen al-Khilafat (FAK), ensuring the cycle of militancy remains unbroken.
Pakistan argues that rather than honoring peace agreements or regional commitments, Afghan leaders are recycling fighters into terror outfits, showing little commitment to long-term stability.
Islamabad’s frustration comes against the backdrop of a spike in terrorist violence. According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, attacks have risen sharply in 2025, with the majority attributed to the outlawed TTP.
While Pakistan has mounted sustained counterterrorism operations and reiterated its zero-tolerance policy, the persistence of such developments has cast Afghanistan in an increasingly troubling light.
Observers say the situation highlights the urgent need for constructive dialogue, credible commitments, and regional cooperation to prevent militancy from undermining stability on both sides of the border.
Also See : Reports Warn of TTP Use of Mosques and Madrasas for Drone Training in Pakistan
