Afghan Rulers Arrest 200 Suspected Militants, Take Concrete Steps Against Terrorism: Report
The interim rulers of Afghanistan have made significant strides in countering terrorism by arresting 200 suspected militants and implementing concrete measures to neutralize terrorist activities, according to a report by Voice of America (VOA) citing Pakistani officials. These efforts come as a result of Islamabad’s ongoing initiatives to combat cross-border attacks.
The crackdown primarily targets the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and details of the operations against them were shared during bilateral talks in Kabul with a high-level delegation from Islamabad. The talks were prompted by recent terrorist attacks on two Pakistan Army check posts near the Afghanistan border, resulting in the martyrdom of four soldiers.
During the exchange of fire, 12 terrorists were killed, and several others sustained critical injuries. Subsequently, the Afghan Taliban played a crucial role in the arrest of 200 TTP members who were returning from the attack in Chitral. These militants are now behind bars, as confirmed by an anonymous Pakistani official cited by VOA.
Furthermore, the Afghan authorities are in the process of relocating other TTP members away from the border with Pakistan. However, it is important to wait and observe the outcomes of these measures before drawing conclusions, according to the same official. He emphasized the need to give them time to consolidate their actions.
Led by Pakistan’s special representative on Afghanistan, Asif Durrani, the delegation engaged in extensive discussions with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and his team. The discussions were described as promising and marked an important step forward in the efforts to counter terrorism.
Meanwhile, Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has issued strict orders forbidding cross-border attacks against Pakistan, deeming them un-Islamic or haram. He has also instructed Afghans not to collaborate with or financially support the TTP for its purported jihad against Pakistan. Additionally, the militants are now prohibited from running donation campaigns within Afghanistan.
Officials in Islamabad believe that the Afghan Taliban are intentionally distancing themselves from groups previously aligned with them during the insurgency. These groups, now involved in criminal activities such as extortion, kidnapping for ransom, and terrorism, are no longer receiving support from the Taliban.
In conclusion, the Afghan rulers’ actions to arrest suspected militants and implement concrete measures against terrorism demonstrate their commitment to countering this threat. The collaboration between Afghanistan and Pakistan in addressing cross-border attacks is yielding positive results, but further assessment is needed to determine the full impact of these initiatives. The efforts to distance the Afghan Taliban from criminal groups signify a shift towards a more accountable and responsible approach to security in the region.
