Afghan Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani led an operation against a terrorist group based in Nangarhar, sources said.
ISLAMABAD, Sep 29 (Asia Free Press): The new Afghan Taliban government has reportedly launched a ‘clean-up operation’ against the Daesh terrorist group in the country’s eastern part, sources said.
Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani – is himself leading the operation against the terrorist group – who holds the strong foot in Afghanistan’s eastern provinces, Taliban sources told AFP.
Daesh has also known as ‘Islamic State-Khorasan Province’, or ISKP – has carried out several attacks in Nangarhar province against the Taliban in recent days after the group takeover [Kabul] last month.
Last week, at least five people were killed in two bombings in eastern Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province during the latest outbreak of violence in an area where Daesh affiliate is trying to challenge the Taliban’s control of the country.
Last year, following the Doha Agreement between the US and Taliban, Daesh terror attacks increased against the Taliban in eastern parts of the country. However, later the group lost hundreds of its militants when the Taliban launched an aggressive operation in that areas.
Previously, the Taliban always accused the former Afghan intelligence agency – NDS, and its partners of supporting Daesh in Afghanistan to fight against them.
In 2019, during a heavy fight between Daesh and the Taliban in northern Badakhshan province, the Taliban accused the Afghan army of rescuing over 200 Daesh militants through helicopters when the Taliban was surrounding them in the areas.
Earlier this year, the Pakistan army alleged that the terrorist organization Daesh/ISIS is using the Afghan territories to operate against Pakistan with India’s backing.
The terror group Daesh/ISIS is flourishing in neighboring Afghanistan with ‘Indian backing’ due to the loose control of the Kabul government, Maj. Gen. Babar Iftikhar, the Pakistani Army’s spokesman said while addressing a news conference in the garrison city of Rawalpindi in January.
“Yes, there is Daesh footprint over there [Afghanistan] and it’s being supported by RAW [the Indian intelligence agency]”, the military spokesman said.
The Taliban claims security ‘has been assured’ in Afghanistan since it took over, but the recent attacks have shattered those claims.
On the evening of August 26, just 11 days after the Taliban takeover, ISKP claimed responsibility for a bombing at Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport – killed more than 180 people and injured hundreds of others.
Several attacks have been reported in the city of Jalalabad – the capital of Nangarhar province, and one of ISKP’s most common targets. The recent attacks, including IED explosions, killed civilians and purported Taliban fighters.
“I think [Daesh] is still a threat for Taliban but they couldn’t resist against Taliban without foreign help,” Saboor Khattak, a senior journalist, who is covering Afghanistan, told Asia Free Press.
He added that in past, the Daesh has enjoyed alleged support from foreign elements but now they could face a tough time from the Taliban.
Last month, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that once ‘the foreigners left the country, Daesh will eliminate’.
“If Daesh creates a war against the country, we will deal with them with iron hands,” he told reporters in Kabul.
