Afghan security agencies have dismissed reports by Indian media which claimed that Pakistan-based terror groups Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) or Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) have relocated their terror infrastructure to Afghanistan.
Pakistan Admits Its Citizens Involved In Terror Activities; Islamabad Says Not Responsible For Them
According to Hindustan Times, Indian Intelligence agencies’ inputs have indicated that notorious terror groups Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) have shifted their base to Afghanistan with the assistance of the Pakistan Army.
As per documents reviewed by Indian Media – The Hindustan Times, both the Pakistan-based groups have joined hands with the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani Network, across the Durand Line.
It is perhaps due to this reason that New Delhi has not been impressed by action taken by the Pakistan government on LeT leaders and five charity organizations linked to terror funding.
According to Indian security agencies, the reason for shifting terrorist bases across the Durand Line is to avoid black-listing of Pakistan by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
ISIS vs Taliban Rivalry – Bleeding Afghanistan More Than Ever
According to Indian officials, Indian diplomatic establishments, including the embassy in Kabul, were under threat from JeM terrorists to carry out a vehicle-borne IED attack. There was also an alert against a Taliban attack on the Indian consulate in Kandahar.
Hindustan Times in its report states that has also been informed to North Block that a significant number of Jaish cadre shifted to Kot and Momandara (Nangarhar); Sanguin and Marja (Helmand); Logan, Nawa (Ghazni), Zurmat (Paktia), Kunar, Faryab and Kunduz provinces of Afghanistan in coordination with the Taliban.
Reports from agencies also indicate that Taliban and the Haqqani Network have offered shelter to Maulana Masood Azhar in Afghanistan in February 2019 but Azhar felt safer under the patronage of the Pakistani Army.
The report talks about increased JeM footprint in Afghanistan disclosed when two of its terrorists, identified as Sediq Akbar and Ataullah got arrested by the Afghan National Security Force in January this year. Both the terrorists revealed that they were trained at Bhawalpur and Balakot terror camps, and had been tasked to conduct surveillance on Indian interests in Kabul and Kandahar.
In addition, LeT has developed terror camps in Nangarhar, Nuristan, Kunar, Helmand and Kandahar provinces of Afghanistan. LeT has over 300 fighters in Afghanistan, according to a recent Pentagon report and poses a significant threat to American interests in the region.
