Arrest of Afghan national Habibullah in Balochistan reveals direct coordination between Afghan Taliban and TTP; over 70% of recent attacks involve Afghan nationals, officials say

By The South Asia Times

QUETTA, Pakistan -   Afghan Taliban forces are following an “Indian footprint” to destabilize Pakistan, Balochistan’s Home Minister Mir Zia Langove has charged, as authorities unveiled evidence of systematic cross-border terrorism emanating from Afghanistan, including the arrest of an Afghan national who confessed to working as a joint operative for both the Afghan Taliban and the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

At a joint press conference Sunday in Quetta, Langove, along with Home Secretary Hamza Shafqaat and Counter Terrorism Department DIG Aitzaz Goraya, presented what they called “irrefutable evidence” of a coordinated campaign to destabilize Pakistan -- a strategy officials said mirrors tactics historically employed by Indian intelligence agencies.

“The Afghan Taliban is following the Indian footprint -- using terrorism as a tool to bleed Pakistan from the west while India pressures from the east,” a security source familiar with the investigation told The South Asia Times. “This is a two-front war, and Kabul has chosen to side with New Delhi’s playbook.”

The evidence centers on Habibullah, an Afghan national arrested during an intelligence-based operation in Kuchlag, Balochistan. Officials said Habibullah had previously been detained for a month on suspicion but was released “in good faith, being considered a civilian.” When credible evidence emerged linking him to terrorist networks, security forces rearrested him from Kuchlak.

During interrogation, Habibullah confessed to being an operative of both the Afghan Taliban and TTP, a rare admission of direct coordination between the two groups. His brother, Sher Afghan, is also associated with the TTP network. The group was being led by a figure known as “Muslim.”

Habibullah admitted to involvement in multiple attacks targeting Pakistani security personnel in Balochistan and revealed that he received terrorist training in Afghanistan, according to CTD DIG Goraya.

- ‘Over 70% of Terrorists Are Afghan Nationals’

The arrest is the latest in a devastating string of incidents linking Afghan nationals to major terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. Security sources have documented a significant escalation in cross-border terrorism since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, with Pakistani authorities claiming that more than 70% of militants involved in recent attacks are Afghan nationals.

February 16, 2026 – Bajaur Suicide Attack: A suicide bomber attacked the Malangi Post in Bajaur district, martyred 11 security personnel and two civilians. The attacker was identified as Kharij Ahmad, also known as Qari Abdullah Abu Zar, a resident of Afghanistan’s Balkh province who had previously served in the Taliban’s special forces.

February 6, 2026 - Islamabad Bombing: A suicide bomber struck the capital’s Tarnol area after receiving militant training in Afghanistan.

November 2025 - Islamabad Judicial Complex Attack: A suicide bombing outside the district court killed 12 people and wounded 28 others. The attack was carried out by an Afghan national, ordered by a TTP commander hiding in Afghanistan.

November 24, 2025 - FC Headquarters Peshawar: Terrorists with direct links to Afghanistan attacked the Frontier Corps headquarters.

November 10, 2025 - Wana Cadet College Assault: Gunmen stormed the cadet college in South Waziristan, sparking a nearly 20-hour gun battle that martyred three soldiers and all attackers. Pakistan’s Interior Minister confirmed Afghan nationals were involved.

October 19, 2025 - South Waziristan Arrest: A suicide bomber identified as Naimatullah, a resident of Kandahar province, Afghanistan, was arrested.

October 10, 2025 – Dera Ismail Khan Police Training Centre: Afghan nationals were allegedly involved in this attack.

March 11, 2025 – Jaffar Express Attack: Facilitators were in continuous contact with a TTP commander hiding in Afghanistan.

March 4, 2025 – Bannu Cantonment Attack: The attack was planned in Afghanistan, with Afghan nationals confirmed involved.

- The ‘Indian Footprint’ Strategy

Officials drew direct parallels between Afghanistan’s approach and India’s long-documented strategy of using terrorism to destabilize Pakistan. For decades, Pakistan has accused India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) of supporting militant groups operating from Afghan soil -- a charge that has gained new urgency as the Afghan Taliban has consolidated power.

“What we are seeing now is the Afghan Taliban adopting the same playbook that India has used against us for decades -- providing sanctuary, funding, and logistical support to terrorist groups whose sole purpose is to bleed Pakistan,” Langove said.

Security analysts note that India has historically viewed a destabilized Pakistan as strategically advantageous, and the current cooperation between the Afghan Taliban and TTP serves that objective.

“India has long sought strategic depth in Afghanistan,” said a senior Pakistani defense analyst who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Now, with the Taliban in power and following what appears to be a coordinated anti-Pakistan agenda, New Delhi has found willing partners in Kabul. The Afghan Taliban is effectively doing India’s bidding by opening a western front against Pakistan.”

International bodies have confirmed the scale of the threat. The UN Security Council’s Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team has documented the continued presence of over 20 terrorist groups in Afghanistan, including Al-Qaeda and TTP, with an estimated 13,000 to 23,000 foreign terrorists operating from Afghan soil. The reports specifically note that over 600 TTP attacks have been launched from Afghanistan against Pakistan.

According to the UN Monitoring Team’s February 2026 report, the Taliban regime continues to provide sanctuary, facilitation, and logistical support to TTP and other terrorist networks.

The US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and multiple UN Security Council members -- including Russia and Denmark -- have all issued assessments confirming Afghanistan’s role as a hub for international terrorist organizations.

- Pakistan’s ‘Open War’ Response

The mounting attacks have fundamentally shifted Pakistan’s posture. After years of diplomatic engagement and multiple high-level delegations sent to Kabul with concrete evidence -- all of which were ignored -- Pakistan Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has declared a state of “open war” against the Taliban regime.

In late February 2026, Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq following what it called “unprovoked firing” by the Afghan Taliban from across the border. According to official figures, nearly 800 Fitna al Khwarij and Afghan Taliban personnel have been killed, with over 1,000 injured. The operation has destroyed 286 Afghan Taliban posts and captured 44 others, along with 249 tanks, armored vehicles, artillery guns, and drones.

Pakistan has repeatedly raised the issue with the Afghan Taliban regime since their return to power in 2021. Despite assurances made in the Doha agreement that Afghan soil would not be used against neighboring countries, officials say no concrete action has been taken.

Pakistan has now shifted from diplomatic appeals to direct action, demanding that any ceasefire or improvement in ties is contingent on Kabul providing “visible and verifiable” proof of a crackdown on TTP training camps and leadership. Islamabad is currently seeking written guarantees from the Afghan Taliban that their soil will not be used for terrorism against Pakistan.

“The Government of Pakistan has repeatedly tried to convince the Afghan government to stop supporting and harboring terrorists operating against Pakistan,” Langove said at the press conference. With the arrest of Habibullah and his confession linking him to both Afghan Taliban and TTP networks -- along with the mounting toll of attacks carried out by Afghan nationals -- officials say the evidence of cross-border, state-sponsored terrorism following an “Indian footprint” is now beyond dispute.

Home Secretary Hamza Shafqaat noted that Balochistan is enforcing a “one-document regime” and that illegal foreign nationals have been deported as part of efforts to curb terrorism.

As Pakistan continues Operation Ghazab lil-Haq and demands verifiable action from Kabul, the message from Islamabad is clear: there will be no tolerance for cross-border terrorism from Afghan soil -- whether it follows an Indian blueprint or originates in Kabul’s own strategic calculations.