KABUL: Taliban interim government in Kabul accused on Wednesday that a number of Pakistanis affiliated with the Islamic State group are involved in IS terrorist attacks within Afghanistan.
These allegations were put forth by Zabihullah Mujahid, the Afghan interim government’s spokesman, only days after Pakistan’s Army chief General Syed Asim Munir accused Afghans of being involved in recent suicide attacks in the Balochistan province.
Speaking to AFP, Zabihullah Mujahid claimed that Afghan forces had killed 18 Pakistanis associated with IS over the past year.
“These individuals were IS, commonly known as Daesh, members and were involved in various terror incidents,” stated Zabihullah Mujahid, who further mentioned that Afghan forces currently detain multiple Pakistani militants.
He highlighted that the Kabul government has focused on enhancing its security measures instead of casting blame on Pakistan.
It was the first time that the Taliban authorities publicly attributed attacks in Afghanistan to Pakistani nationals.
Afghan nationals responsible for attacks inside Pakistan
Earlier, Pakistan had alleged that militants supported by Afghan nationals are exploiting Afghan territory for attacks against its security forces.
Addressing tribal elders in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Monday, Pakistan Army Chief Syed Asim Munir said that the involvement of Afghan nationals in terrorist attacks is a threat to regional peace, stability, and a violation of the Doha Peace accord.
The Doha agreement binds the Afghan Taliban to prevent the use of its territory for terrorism against other nations.
Last week, Afghan state media broadcast a speech by the defense minister, emphasizing that combat outside Afghanistan does not fall under the category of religiously sanctioned “jihad.” Instead, they constitute a form of warfare.
