terrorist groups in Afghanistan

Russia's Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu leaves after his bilateral meeting with Indonesia’s Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin at the Defence Ministry in Jakarta on February 25, 2025. (AFP)

Over 20 terrorist groups active in Afghanistan, Russia warns SCO leaders

Moscow says militants arriving from Syria, rising ISIS attacks and Taliban facilitation of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan have intensified fears that Afghan territory is increasingly being used to coordinate violence, destabilize neighboring countries, and expand extremist networks across Central and South Asia.

May 15, 2026

Pakistan slams India, Afghanistan at UN over cross-border terrorism

Speaking at the UN Security Council, Pakistan’s envoy warns that terrorist networks operating from Afghan territory threaten regional stability, urges Taliban authorities to take verifiable action, and rejects India’s criticism during a heated diplomatic exchange

March 10, 2026

Russia estimates up to 23,000 terrorists present in Afghanistan

Its foreign ministry says that over half of these fighters are foreign nationals. Among the larger groups, it cited around 3,000 Daesh fighters, 5,000 to 7,000 from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and 400 to 1,500 from al Qaeda.

February 24, 2026