Up to 23,000 terrorists active in Afghanistan, TTP threatens Pakistan, says Russian report

Moscow (Web Desk): Russia’s Foreign Ministry has stated that Afghanistan is currently home to an estimated 20,000 to 23,000 terrorist fighters, with more than half being foreign nationals.

The report identifies several active extremist groups in the country. ISIS is estimated to have around 3,000 members, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) between 5,000 and 7,000, Al-Qaeda from 400 to 1,500, the Islamic Movement of East Turkestan (ETIM) between 300 and 1,200, the Islamic Party of Turkestan (formerly the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, IMU) 150 to 500, and Jamaat Ansarullah approximately 150 to 250 members.

The ministry noted that the TTP, largely based in Afghanistan’s southeastern and eastern regions, continues to direct its operations against Pakistan, adding to tensions between the neighboring countries. ISIS-K (Khorasan) has reportedly established training camps and sleeper cells in multiple regions.

Although it does not directly threaten the Taliban government, its attacks are intended to damage the regime’s reputation and shake public trust in its ability to maintain security.

The group remains active mainly in the east, north, and northeast, and seeks to expand into Central Asia to create a new caliphate.

Afghan security forces are actively targeting ISIS networks, conducting operations that have resulted in the elimination of small terrorist groups and the seizure of weapon stockpiles. The Taliban have also taken steps to remove individuals promoting ISIS-style extremism from mosques, educational institutions, and state agencies.

Despite a decrease in ISIS activity, notable attacks have continued into 2025 and 2026, including assaults on religious scholars in Baghlan, the killing of a Chinese national in Takhar, and a bombing that targeted civilians in Kunduz.

Al-Qaeda maintains a presence across provinces such as Ghazni, Laghman, Kunar, Nangarhar, Nuristan, Parwan, and Urozgan, using Afghanistan as a base to expand its influence regionally and strengthen ties with other extremist groups. Meanwhile, armed opposition to the Taliban remains fragmented and largely ineffective.

Groups such as the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan and the Afghanistan Freedom Front have carried out only sporadic raids and surprise attacks, primarily in Panjshir, Badakhshan, and Baghlan.

On the narcotics front, Afghanistan continues to be a major producer despite Taliban attempts to reduce poppy cultivation.

According to the report, the area under poppy farming fell by 20% in 2025, but methamphetamine production has risen significantly. The smuggling of synthetic drugs, particularly methamphetamine, increased by 50% between 2023 and 2024.