KABUL: Early on Tuesday morning, a military operation in Kabul resulted in the death of the intelligence and military chief of the militant organisation known as Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP).
In a separate operation, the Afghan Taliban government detained a senior ISKP officer who was reportedly serving as the terrorist group’s subcontinental chief.
Two members of Daesh were reportedly killed in an overnight operation against a cell on Shahrak-e-Zakireen, Khair Khana, PD 17, Kabul’s First Street.
A crucial ISKP member named Qari Fateh was among the dead. He had previously held the positions of Amir-al-Harb (military leader) for Khorasan, head of the province of Kunar, head of the eastern zone, and currently serves as the intelligence and operations chief. He was directly in charge of recent operations in Kabul that included attacks on embassies, mosques, and other targets.
Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Afghan Taliban, told the media, “With the help of Allah, the criminal was served justice last night for his brutal actions at the hands of IEA Special Forces during a complex operation.
Mujahid also reported that three members of Daesh, including its leader for the Indian subcontinent, Ijaz Amin Ahingar, had been killed on February 13 as a result of a special operation by the IEA Special Forces.
Other Daesh members, including foreigners plotting deadly attacks, were also apprehended recently, he continued, “with the help of Allah.”
It should be noted that the operations take place against the backdrop of meetings where Pakistan was able to secure “fresh commitment” from the Afghan Taliban on addressing the renewed threat posed by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), according to officials familiar with the development. A high-level delegation led by the country’s defence minister visited Kabul last week.
Khawaja Asif was accompanied by Lt. Gen. Nadeem Anjum, Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Asad Majid, Foreign Secretary, and Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq, Special Representative for Afghanistan, on an unannounced visit to the Afghan capital.
“The visit was successful. An official with direct knowledge of the trip, who asked to remain anonymous, said that the outcome was extremely positive. The official further stated that Pakistan’s concerns regarding the TTP were heard by the Afghan side.
Another official affirmed the development and claimed that the Afghan interim government shared information about some of the counterterrorism measures it had taken, including those against TTP affiliates.
The visit had taken place as terrorist attacks in Pakistan were on the rise. Pakistani authorities were compelled to negotiate with the Afghan Taliban as a result of the recent terrorist attacks in Peshawar Police Lines and the Karachi Police Office.
According to official statements, the Pakistani side expressed its concerns and informed the Afghan interim government that talks with the TTP were no longer an option. The official stated, “They (the Afghan Taliban) have not insisted either on talks.
Officials were optimistic about the high-level visit’s results, as Pakistan anticipates specific Taliban actions against terrorist groups operating out of Afghanistan in the coming weeks.
