Afghan Taliban denies allegations of supporting terrorist groups

The Afghan Taliban has rejected allegations of providing any kind of support to foreign terrorist groups active in Afghanistan. It alleged that Islamic State fighters have established bases in neighboring countries, an indirect reference to Pakistan.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, responding to concerns raised by several countries in the UN Security Council about alleged terrorist activities from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, said on Thursday that Afghanistan is safe and there are no foreign or rogue groups in the Islamic Emirate.

Claiming the defeat of the Islamic State in Afghanistan, he said unfortunately the terrorist group has established bases in our neighboring countries. Mr. Mujahid dismissed security concerns raised by countries, saying these concerns have arisen due to the lack of Taliban representation in the UN.

Although he did not name any neighboring country where, according to him, the Islamic State Khorasan had allegedly taken refuge, Taliban authorities have repeatedly accused Pakistan of harboring, supporting, training, and financing operatives of the Islamic State.

At a UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday, a senior UN official, Alexander Zuev, warned that the Islamic Emirate remains a serious security threat both within the IS-KP region and beyond, contrary to the Taliban's repeated claims that it has defeated the group within the country.

US Ambassador to the UN, Mike Walsh, said the threat from the Islamic State in Afghanistan persists and requires immediate and coordinated international action. He further said the threat is spreading to parts of Western and Southern Asia and even some parts of Africa.

Pakistan's representative, Asim Iftikhar Ahmed, accusing the Taliban of supporting and encouraging terrorist groups, said since the Islamic group returned to power in Kabul, terrorist organizations such as the Pakistani Taliban and Baloch separatists have gained new strength.

He accused Kabul of providing safe havens to these groups and giving them the freedom to operate on Afghan soil, which they have used to launch various attacks against Pakistan.

Reiterating Islamabad's statement, Mr. Ahmed said Pakistan has been at the forefront of countries fighting terrorism and has suffered greatly, including the loss of over 90,000 lives, destruction of infrastructure, and overall economic devastation.

The Chinese representative expressed concern over the presence and activities of terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda, the Islamic State, and Uyghur militants in Afghanistan and called on the Taliban to take action.

Referring to the ISIS attack on a Chinese restaurant in Kabul's Shar-e-Naw district, the Chinese ambassador said terrorist activities on Afghan soil are increasing and should be taken seriously.