Taliban Defense Minister: Tajik and Pakistani Citizens Involved in Various Terrorist Attacks

Bayan News – Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, the acting Minister of Defense for the Taliban, stated in a press conference in Kabul on Monday (December 31) that dozens of Tajik and Pakistani citizens were involved in various terrorist attacks inside Afghanistan.

Speaking at the end of the calendar year, he reported on the security situation in Afghanistan over the past 12 months and emphasized that during this period, dozens of Tajik citizens were killed by the forces of the Islamic Emirate, and hundreds of others have been detained.

The Defense Minister continued by mentioning Pakistani nationals, stating that more than 20 Pakistani citizens have been killed and hundreds of others who were involved in various security incidents are currently in detention.

Mr. Mujahid urged neighboring countries to monitor their land and air borders.

Simultaneously with the escalating tensions between Kabul and Islamabad over the issue of incitement by Pakistani Taliban, it has been reported that Mullah Shirin Akhund, the governor of Kandahar, will meet with Pakistani officials in Islamabad early next month.

According to the Dawn Pakistan newspaper, the purpose of this high-level Taliban official’s visit to Islamabad is seen as an attempt to reduce tensions between the two countries.

In recent years, the level of activities by Pakistani Taliban militants in various parts of Pakistan has increased, and Pakistani authorities claim that the Tahrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) uses Afghan soil to carry out insecurity, a claim that has consistently been rejected by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.