Sandra Jensen Landi highlights the presence of approximately 6,000 TTP fighters in Afghanistan
Denmark warned the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) about 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 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 approximately 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 serious concern, with at least 2,000 fighters attacking Afghan authorities, Shia 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 emanating from Afghanistan. He highlighted Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, noting more than 80,000 casualties and economic losses.
Read: Pakistan-Afghanistan peace talks stalled
Jadoon highlighted that groups such as ISIL-K, TTP and its affiliates, BLA and the Majeed Brigade continue to operate under Afghan patronage.
He called for the 1267 sanctions regime to reflect the realities on the ground, urging objective, transparent and impartial processes to list and delist individuals and entities.
Talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan
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 has refused to offer written guarantees.
A security source said: “The logical and reasoned demands that Pakistan has put forward are legitimate, but the Afghan Taliban delegation is not willing to fully accept them.”
Another source added: “The message from Islamabad was clear: there is no compromise on terrorism. Pakistan has put forward specific proposals seeking verifiable measures to dismantle the TTP network and prevent cross-border attacks.”
Border closure continues
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” measures against terrorist groups, particularly the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Read more: Pakistan, Afghan Taliban reach tentative understanding in Istanbul talks
The officials said The express PAkGazette that the government had conveyed to Kabul that the crossings would not be reopened for trade and commercial activity 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, paralyzing bilateral trade and the regional transit route.
The crossing points remained open only for one-way humanitarian movement, primarily to facilitate the return of Afghan refugees and stranded people.
Tensions rose after unprovoked shooting by the Afghan Taliban regime
Tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border escalated on October 12, when clashes broke out after the Afghan Taliban regime opened unprovoked fire at multiple locations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, prompting a swift and forceful response from the Pakistan 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 attack originated from several key sectors including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Baramcha in Balochistan. The firing, security sources said, was aimed at facilitating the illegal entry of Khwarij (the state-designated term for the banned TTP) into Pakistani territory.
“Pakistan army responded immediately and decisively,” security sources said. “The counteroffensive effectively attacked and destroyed multiple Afghan posts on the border. Dozens of Afghan and Khwarij soldiers were killed in retaliatory fire.”
