By Farman Ullah
For more than 40 years, Pakistan has been home to millions of Afghan refugees, especially after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Initially, this was seen as a humanitarian effort to help those in need. However, the long-term presence of Afghan refugees in Pakistan has created various challenges. One of the biggest concerns is their involvement in security issues, with growing evidence that some Afghan nationals are participating in criminal and terrorist activities, particularly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) region. As this situation continues, it is important to consider whether Afghan refugees pose a lasting threat to Pakistan’s security.
Cross-Border Militancy
The Afghanistan-Pakistan border is known for being porous, which makes it easy for people to move between the two countries. This has allowed some Afghan nationals to cross into Pakistan and allegedly take part in attacks. The border area has become a hotspot for militants who enter KP to target security forces and civilians. There has been an increase in cross-border attacks, especially in regions like North Waziristan and Bajaur, where Afghan refugees or those with Afghan backgrounds are often involved.
Recent Incidents of Terrorism
On February 6, 2025, a significant military operation took place in the Datta Khel area of North Waziristan, resulting in the death of an Afghan national named Luqman Khan, also known as Nusrat. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Khan was allegedly involved in terrorist activities and came from the Spira district of Khost province in Afghanistan. This operation was part of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to fight terrorism, especially in areas known for militant activity.
The ISPR highlighted the need for the interim Afghan government to take responsibility for its citizens and ensure that Afghan territory is not used to launch attacks against Pakistan. This incident is not an isolated case; it reflects a growing trend of cross-border terrorism that has raised alarms among Pakistani military officials and policymakers.
Previous Incidents and Patterns of Violence
The case of Luqman Khan is part of a worrying pattern of violence linked to Afghan nationals in Pakistan. On January 30 and 31, security forces conducted an operation in the Madi area of Kalachi tehsil, Dera Ismail Khan, which resulted in the deaths of four suspected terrorists connected to a banned group called Fitna Al-Khawarij. Among those killed was Badruddin, the son of Maulvi Ghulam Mohammad Ahmadi, who was the deputy governor of Afghanistan’s Badghis province. This operation uncovered significant military equipment, including American-made night vision devices and M16A4 rifles, raising questions about where these weapons and support for militant groups are coming from.
On January 11, 2025, Security Forces conducted a successful operation and eliminated an afghan spy while fleeing to Afghanistan. The killed terrorist was identified as Mohammad Khan Ahmad Khel, son of Haji Mohammad Qasim Dawran Khan.
The 48-year-old terrorist Mohammad Khan Alias Abdullah was a resident of Paktika Province. An Afghan identity card was also recovered from the slain Afghan terrorist.
Mohammad Khan was working for the Afghan Intelligence Agency in Pakistan. He was involved in weapons and ammunition smuggling from Afghanistan to terrorists in Qila Saifullah, Zhob and Loralai in Pakistan.
Pakistan has frequently provided evidence regarding terrorism to the Interim Government, but the Afghan Government always failed to take any effective action against foreign terrorists.
The Implications for Regional Security
The involvement of Afghan nationals in terrorist activities within Pakistan presents serious challenges for regional security. The rise of militant groups in Afghanistan, along with the Taliban’s inability to control these factions, has created a dangerous environment that threatens not only Pakistan but also its neighboring countries. The risk of cross-border attacks and the movement of militants across the open border worsen the security issues faced by Pakistan.