Baqir Sajjad Syed
August 13, 2026
• Taliban chief reportedly warned outfit to halt attacks or risk losing support
• UN report points to training links involving TTP, BLA, Al Qaeda
• ISIL-K attacks decline in Afghanistan, but increase in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: The Afghan Taliban’s continued support for the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has contributed to a rise in the frequency and lethality of terrorist attacks in Pakistan, even as Kabul has taken some initial steps to rein in the group, according to a
UN Security Council-mandated monitoring report.
The report also points to growing operational and facilitation linkages among the TTP, Al Qaeda, Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIL-K) and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).
The 38th report of the UN Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, covering the period from Dec 16, 2025, to June 9, 2026, said that “cross-border attacks between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalated, provoked by a high number of attacks by Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan against Pakistan”.
Like previous editions, the report was unequivocal in its assessment of Kabul’s role, saying that “the de facto authorities (Taliban) continued their support to the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which escalated attacks against Pakistan, provoking military exchanges”.
It noted concern among member states that the continuing conflict could create opportunities for terrorist groups and generate additional security challenges for the region