Sandra Jensen Landi highlights the presence of around 6,000 TTP fighters in Afghanistan
Denmark has warned the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) of the “serious threat” posed by the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Central and South Asia, saying the group receives “logistical and substantial support from the de facto authorities”.
Speaking as Chair of the Security Council’s ISIL (Daesh) and Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee, Denmark’s Deputy Permanent Representative Sandra Jensen Landi highlighted the presence of around 6,000 TTP fighters in Afghanistan, responsible for high-profile attacks against Pakistan from Afghan soil.
Landi also noted evolving threats from ISIL, al-Qaeda and their affiliates. ISIL-Khorasan (ISIL-K) in Central and South Asia remains a major concern, with at least 2,000 fighters targeting Afghan authorities, Shiite communities and foreign nationals. Meanwhile, Daesh affiliates in Africa, including ISWAP, have expanded their activities and propaganda.
Pakistan’s Deputy Permanent Representative Usman Jadoon echoed concerns about terrorism from Afghanistan. He highlighted the sacrifices made by Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, reporting over 80,000 casualties and economic losses.
Read: Peace negotiations between Pakistan and Afghanistan at an impasse
Jadoon stressed that groups such as ISIL-K, TTP and its affiliates, BLA and Majeed Brigade continue to operate under Afghan patronage.
He called for the 1267 sanctions regime to reflect ground realities, calling for objective, transparent and impartial processes for the listing and delisting of individuals and entities.
Pakistan-Afghanistan talks
Talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Istanbul have stalled, with no progress on Islamabad’s demand for a concrete plan to dismantle terrorist networks operating from Afghan soil. Despite mediation by Turkish officials, the Taliban delegation refused to provide written guarantees.
A security source said: “The logical and reasoned demands presented by Pakistan are legitimate, but the Afghan Taliban delegation is not ready to accept them fully. »
Another source added: “The message from Islamabad was clear: no compromise on terrorism. Pakistan has presented specific proposals aimed at obtaining verifiable measures to dismantle the TTP network and prevent cross-border attacks.
Border closures continue
Pakistan has decided to keep its border crossings with Afghanistan closed for an indefinite period, signaling a hardened stance until the Afghan Taliban regime takes “verifiable and irreversible” action against terrorist groups, particularly the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Learn more: Pakistan, Afghan Taliban reach tentative deal at Istanbul talks
Officials said The Express PK Press Club that the government had conveyed to Kabul that the crossings would not reopen to trade and commercial activities unless concrete steps were taken to eliminate anti-Pakistan elements operating from Afghan soil.
The border closure, which lasted more than a month, left thousands of trucks and containers stranded on both sides, crippling bilateral trade and the regional transit route.
The crossings remained open only to one-way humanitarian movements, mainly to facilitate the return of Afghan refugees and stranded people.
Tensions escalate after unprovoked shooting by Afghan Taliban regime
Tensions along the Pak-Afghan border escalated on October 12, when clashes erupted after the Afghan Taliban regime opened unprovoked fire on several locations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, provoking a swift and forceful response from the Pakistani army, which destroyed several Afghan posts and killed dozens of Afghan soldiers and militants.
Also read: “Security first, trade second”: Afghan border to remain closed indefinitely
The coordinated assault began in several key areas including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Baramcha in Balochistan. According to security sources, the firing was aimed at facilitating the illegal entry of Khwarij – the state’s term for the banned TTP – into Pakistani territory.
“The Pakistani army reacted immediately and decisively,” security sources said. “The counter-offensive effectively targeted and destroyed several Afghan posts on the border. Dozens of Afghan and Khwarij soldiers were killed in retaliatory fire.”
