The infiltration of Afghan nationals into Pakistan and their involvement in terrorism has been rising. On February 28, Pakistani security forces launched an operation in Ghulam Khan Kalle. They killed 14 terrorists during the operation, one of whom was identified as an Afghan national. The terrorist, Mujeeb-ur-Rehman, was a commander in Afghanistan’s Hazrat Muaz bin Jabal National Military Academy. He hailed from Dandar village in Chak district of Maidan Wardak province.
This attack is part of a growing threat of Afghan terrorist infiltration. Intelligence reports reveal that an increasing number of Afghan nationals are becoming involved in terrorism inside Pakistan. The encounter on February 28 was not an isolated case but part of a larger pattern of cross-border attacks.
On January 30, 2025, another Afghan terrorist, Badaruddin, was killed in Dera Ismail Khan. Badaruddin, a lieutenant in the Afghan army, was also the son of the deputy governor of Bagdhis province. This attack highlights the disturbing trend of Afghan military-trained individuals engaging in terrorist activities within Pakistan.
Many Afghan nationals enter Pakistan under the guise of seeking medical treatment or education. However, some end up joining extremist groups. These individuals are either radicalized within Pakistan or join voluntarily. Security sources have also revealed that former commanders of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) maintain strong ties with these terrorist networks.
The continued use of Afghan soil as a base for terrorists poses a serious challenge to Pakistan’s security. Authorities have expressed concern over the lack of action from Afghan officials in preventing these infiltrations. The growing involvement of Afghan nationals in terrorism underscores the urgent need for tighter border controls and a coordinated international approach to combat cross-border terrorism.
