MOST SERIOUS THREAT IN SOUTH-ASIA

By Anshika Khera

The Islamic State in Khorasan province is being reported as the most serious threat in South Asia , both regionally and internationally. According to the report by the UN security council’s Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team , ISIL-K has a force of almost 2000 fighters with active recruitment in Afghanistan as well as neighbouring Central Asian Countries and the Russian North Caucasus. It is reported that terrorists from other regional groups are also joining ISIL-K ranks.

It is reported that the group’s strategic objective is to launch attacks outside Afghanistan, beginning with Central Asia. The group uses Madrassas not only for religious indoctrination but also to train minors in suicide tactics. There is a fear that foreign terrorists may relocate to Afghanistan to join ISIL-K group to export violence outside Afghan borders. The leadership of this group is maintained by Sanaullah Ghafari . The fighters are spread across the Northern and north-eastern provinces of Afghanistan. Besides ISIL-K, the report states another group of terrorists across Central and South Asia , identified as The Resistant Front , which claimed the deadly attack on Jammu and Kashmir ‘s Pahalgam.

The Taliban administration in Kabul is continuing to provide a permissive environment for several terror groups like Al-Qaida and its affiliates.