Afghan-Based TTP Poses ‘Serious Threat’ to Region with Taliban Support.

UNITED NATIONS/ISLAMABAD — Denmark, chairing the UN Security Council’s sanctions committee on terrorist groups, has formally acknowledged that the banned Fitna Al Khawarij (TTP) represents a “serious threat” to Central and South Asia, confirming Pakistan’s longstanding allegations that the militant organization receives substantial backing from Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities.

Sandra Jensen Landi, Denmark’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, told a Security Council meeting in New York on Wednesday that the Fitna Al Khawarij (TTP), “with its approximately 6,000 fighters, is another serious threat emanating from the region, receiving both logistical and substantial support from the de facto authorities.”

“The Fitna Al Khawarij (TTP) has conducted numerous high-profile attacks in Pakistan from Afghan soil, some of which incurred mass casualties,” Landi stated while briefing the UNSC in her capacity as chair of the Security Council ISIL (Daesh) and Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee.

Vindication of Pakistan’s Position

The Danish envoy’s statement marks a significant acknowledgment of concerns that Pakistan has been raising at international forums since the Taliban’s return to power in Kabul in August 2021. Islamabad has consistently accused the Afghan Taliban of sheltering thousands of Fitna Al Khawarij (TTP) fighters who use Afghan territory as a sanctuary to launch cross-border attacks.

Pakistan’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Usman Jadoon, addressed the same meeting, emphasizing his country’s sacrifices in combating terrorism and highlighting the ongoing threat from Afghanistan-based militant groups.

“Our valiant security forces and law enforcement agencies continue to counter the terrorism threat emanating from Afghanistan where entities like ISIL-K, Fitna Al Khawarij (TTP) and its affiliates, BLA (Fitna ul Hindustan) and the Majeed Brigade are thriving under the patronage of their hosts and backed by our principle adversary and net destabilizer in the region,” Jadoon said, alluding to Indian involvement in supporting anti-Pakistan militant groups.

Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism Sacrifices

Jadoon reminded the international community that Pakistan has been on the frontlines of global counter-terrorism efforts, paying an enormous price for its commitment. He stated that Pakistan has suffered over 80,000 casualties and billions of dollars in economic losses in its fight against terrorism.

“Al Qaeda was decimated largely due to Pakistan’s efforts,” he emphasized, highlighting his country’s contribution to international security.

The Pakistani diplomat stressed that as a frontline state in global counter-terrorism efforts, Pakistan had rendered “invaluable sacrifices” in eradicating the menace of terrorism while continuing to face threats from groups operating from Afghan soil with external backing.

Escalating Violence and Recent Attacks

Pakistan has experienced a dramatic surge in terrorist attacks since the Fitna Al Khawarij (TTP) ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022 and vowed to target security forces, police, and law enforcement personnel. The violence has been concentrated primarily in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, along the northwestern border with Afghanistan.

Recent attacks underscore the severity of the threat. On November 14, Pakistani authorities arrested four Fitna Al Khawarij (TTP) terrorists involved in a suicide bombing in Islamabad that killed 12 people. Just days earlier, security forces successfully thwarted an attack on the Cadet College in Wana.

Pakistani security forces have been conducting routine counter-terrorism operations along the northwestern border to eliminate the Fitna Al Khawarij (TTP) threat, engaging militants in frequent clashes.

Failed Diplomatic Efforts

The presence of Fitna Al Khawarij (TTP) militants in Afghanistan has become the main point of contention in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, which have deteriorated sharply in recent months following border clashes that erupted on October 11.

Despite mediation efforts by Turkey and Qatar, three rounds of talks held in Doha and Istanbul between October and November failed to produce a workable solution. On November 7, Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif announced that negotiations addressing cross-border terrorism had “entered an indefinite phase” after negotiators failed to bridge deep differences.

The diplomatic breakdown has had immediate consequences. Following the collapse of talks, the Afghan Taliban suspended trade ties with Pakistan, while Islamabad had already closed its border for trade after the October clashes.

The Afghan Taliban continue to deny Pakistan’s allegations that they are allowing terrorists to use Afghan soil to launch attacks, creating a fundamental impasse in bilateral relations.

Call for Expanded UN Sanctions Framework

Speaking at the UNSC meeting, Pakistan’s Jadoon called for reforms to the 1267 sanctions regime the Security Council framework for imposing sanctions on terrorist groups—arguing that it must better reflect ground realities.

“Its scope should be broadened to list individuals and entities, without any association with religion, nationality or ethnicity,” he said, emphasizing the need for fair, transparent, and impartial listing and delisting processes free from political considerations.

Jadoon also advocated for a zero tolerance approach to terrorism that includes designating “violent, far right, extreme right-wing, ultra-nationalist, xenophobic and Islamophobic groups around the world” under the UN’s counter-terrorism architecture.

Broader Regional Terrorism Threat

Denmark’s Landi provided a comprehensive overview of the evolving terrorist landscape, noting that while Al-Qaeda’s central leadership remains weak and marginalized, threats from ISIL (Daesh) and affiliated groups remain dynamic and geographically diverse.

She highlighted that ISIL-Khorasan (ISIL-K), based in Afghanistan, poses one of the most serious threats in Central and South Asia, with at least 2,000 fighters under commander Sanaullah Ghafari. The group continues to target Shia communities, Afghan authorities, and foreign nationals.

“Foreign terrorist fighter movements particularly between Syria, Africa and Central Asia remain a persistent concern for member states,” Landi warned, adding that terrorist groups continue to exploit social media platforms and cryptocurrencies for propaganda, recruitment, and fundraising.

The Danish envoy emphasized that ISIL and Al Qaeda “have proven resilient, adaptive and opportunistic, exploiting regional instability, weak governance and emerging technologies to sustain relevance and project influence.”

Pakistan’s Strategic Concerns

Pakistan’s frustration stems not only from the direct security threat posed by Fitna Al Khawarij (TTP) but also from suspicions of external support for these groups. Pakistani officials have repeatedly alleged that India, described as their “principle adversary,” provides backing to anti-Pakistan militant organizations operating from Afghan soil, including the Fitna Al Khawarij (TTP) and Baloch separatist groups.

As the global terrorism landscape continues to evolve, Pakistan argues that the international community must address the root causes of terrorism, including unresolved conflicts and external interventions, while taking concrete action against states that provide safe haven to terrorist organizations.

The Danish acknowledgment at the UN Security Council of TTP’s threat and its Afghan support base represents a diplomatic validation of Pakistan’s position, though the practical challenge of compelling the Taliban authorities to take action against these groups remains unresolved.