Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Thursday, March 28th, 2024

MoD Accuses Pakistan of 'Leading Daesh' Fighters Locally

MoD Accuses Pakistan of 'Leading Daesh' Fighters Locally

KABUL - Minister of Interior Wais Ahmad Barmak on Sunday said there is no solid evidence to prove that helicopters dropped off supplies to Daesh militants and other insurgent groups, but added that concerns are growing about the expansion of Daesh in the country.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) has said that the number of Daesh fighters in the north is insignificant.
According to MoD, Daesh in Afghanistan is led by Pakistan and the majority of the fighters are from the Afridi and Orakzai tribes which are based in Pakistan as well as fighters from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Chechnya. 
Despite ongoing rumors of unmarked helicopters dropping off aid to Daesh and other insurgents, Barmak insisted that there was no evidence to prove this.
“There is no evidence to prove that these helicopters supplied aid to the armed opponents, we worked with the ministry of defense and national directorate of security to find such clues, but we did not,” said Barmak.
But on Saturday, Zamir Kabulov, Russia's special presidential envoy for Afghanistan said that Moscow is worried about an increasing foothold of Daesh militants in northern Afghan provinces bordering Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
"Russia was among the first to sound the alarm in connection with the emergence of Daesh in Afghanistan ... Daesh has significantly increased its power in the country recently. According to our estimates, the number of militants exceeds 10,000 and continues to grow, particularly due to new fighters arriving from Syria and Iraq," Kabulov said.
He alleged helicopters “without identifying insignia” are transferring fighters and delivering “Western [military] equipment” to the Afghan branch of the terrorist group.
“Those who are making comments in the international level, they never say something without evidence,” said MP Ali Akbar Qasemi.
“Nationals of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Chechens are among those limited fighters who are serving in the Daesh networks in areas of Faryab and Darzab district of Jawzjan,” said Helaluddin Helal, deputy head of the intelligence department of the ministry of defense. (Tolonews)