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Afghan Taliban support TTP with logistics, finances: UN report

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Kashif Zia

1 year ago

ISLAMABAD: A United Nations report has revealed that the Afghan Taliban continue to support the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) with logistical and operational space and financial support.

The 35th report submitted by the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team to the UN Security Council stated that the Afghan Taliban’s continued support has fuelled the group’s rising attacks in Pakistan, despite Islamabad’s strong reservations over Kabul for backing the militant outfit.

“The status and strength of TTP in Afghanistan remain unchanged, while its attacks on Pakistan have increased significantly, with over 600 attacks recorded during 2024, including cross-border assaults from Afghan territory,” the report read.

The report underscored that the Taliban continued to provide the banned outfit a monthly payment of 3 million Afghanis (approximately $43,000). “The family of TTP leader Noor Wali Masoud receives around $43,000 per month from the Afghan Taliban.”

The TTP has expanded its training infrastructure, “establishing new centres in Kunar, Nangarhar, Khost, and Paktika (Barmal) provinces.” The group has also increased recruitment efforts, including drawing fighters from the Afghan Taliban.

This expansion has made TTP the largest Afghanistan-based terrorist organisation, with an estimated 6,000 to 6,500 fighters.

Furthermore, the report revealed that TTP has strengthened its ties with the Afghan Taliban and Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), conducting joint attacks under the banner of Tehreek-e Jihad Pakistan (TJP).

The report warned that this enhanced collaboration, along with TTP’s role in “providing suicide bombers and fighters”, could transform the group into an “extra-regional threat” and an umbrella organisation for other militant groups operating in South Asia.

On the other hand, the security report said that the proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) executed several high-casualty attacks, carried out by its Majeed Brigade (MB), which includes female members.

The Majeed Brigade operated across southwestern Pakistan, including in Awaran, Panjgur, and Dalbandin, during the reporting period.

The report observed that the Majeed Brigade maintains connections with the banned TTP, Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K), and ETIM/TIP, collaborating with these groups in its operational bases in Afghanistan.

High-profile operatives arrested

The report also highlighted that Pakistani security forces dealt a significant setback to Daesh-Khurasan (IS-K) by successfully intercepting its external operations branch’s attempt to establish itself inside Pakistan.

This operation led to the arrests of three high-profile operatives, including Adil Panjsheri (Afghan), Abu Munzir (Tajik), and Kaka Younis (Uzbek), who were involved in the recruitment, travel, and funding of fighters and suicide bombers. These individuals were linked to attacks in Kerman, Iran, and Moscow.

However, one Member State alleged that another senior Daesh-K member, Tariq Tajiki, suspected to be the mastermind behind the Kerman attack, remains in Afghanistan.

To avoid detection and minimise further arrests, IS-K, according to the report, has switched from electronic communications to traditional courier networks for delivering instructions and holding meetings.

Kashif Zia