Pakistan’s military has issued a stark warning, asserting that Afghanistan is rapidly transforming into a “hub for terrorists and non-state actors.” The Pakistani military claims the Taliban government in Kabul is actively patronizing groups like al-Qaida, the Islamic State group, and the Pakistani Taliban, raising significant security concerns for the wider region.
Military spokesman Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry stated at a press conference that an estimated 2,500 foreign militants, not of Pakistani or Afghan nationality, have recently entered Afghanistan from Syria. He asserted these militants were “invited” into the country, suggesting a deliberate policy by the Afghan government. Chaudhry warned that the resurgence of these international militant groups could extend security risks beyond Afghanistan’s immediate borders.
The Pakistani military’s accusations come amid a backdrop of deteriorating relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Recent months have seen heightened tensions, occasionally erupting into violence. In October last year, a significant escalation occurred when Pakistan conducted airstrikes targeting alleged Pakistani Taliban hideouts within Afghanistan. Kabul retaliated by targeting Pakistani military posts, with a ceasefire eventually brokered by Qatar.
Pakistan has long accused Afghanistan and India of supporting the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, and the Baloch National Army. Both Kabul and New Delhi have consistently denied these allegations. General Chaudhry also revealed that Pakistan neutralized 2,597 militants in 2025, a substantial increase from the previous year’s figure of 1,053. The country also recorded 5,397 militant attacks in 2025, up from 3,014 in 2024. Chaudhry noted that Afghan nationals were implicated in nearly all major attacks within Pakistan last year, underscoring the perceived threat emanating from across the border.