The Indian Intelligence agencies have sounded an alert that the battle between the Taliban and ISI backed Islamic State Khorasan could spill over into the country. Tensions are high in Afghanistan following the killing of Ulema-e-Islam- Sami (JUI-S) leader and madrasa Head Maulana Hamidul Haq.
Although none have claimed responsibility for the killing, the agencies are sure that it is the job of the Islamic State Khorasan. The attack only goes on to show how audacious the Islamic State has become in Afghanistan. The outfit was able to grow and become stronger only courtesy the fall out between the Pakistan Army and Taliban.
The Indian agencies say that the events unfolding in Afghanistan clearly suggests that a proxy war may spill into India. This is the larger game plan of the ISI which is empowering the Islamic State to such an extent that its cadres can easily spill into India.
The Islamic State did not get off to a great start in Afghanistan. The fact that the Taliban refused to join them made matters worse for the Islamic State. However, following the pull out of the US forces from Afghanistan changed things drastically for the terror group.
The Taliban was in charge once the US withdrew. Since then, there have been many gun battles between the Islamic State and the Taliban. Most of them were won by the Taliban.
However, the Taliban had a falling out with the ISI. Angered by this, the ISI backed the Islamic State. The intention was two-pronged. The first was to weaken the Taliban and the second was to make the outfit so strong that it can majorly then focus on India.
The Indian agencies remain on a state of high alert following the recent developments in Afghanistan. The Islamic State has been looking to expand in India. This new found aggression in Afghanistan would encourage the Islamic State further and this could lead to the outfit becoming stronger in India.
India during its interactions with Kabul, while promising to offer all assistance has also been clear that Afghanistan cannot become a launching pad for terrorists. Even following the US withdrawal from the country, India’s biggest worry was that Afghanistan may become a launch pad for terror. The Taliban has assured New Delhi that its soil will not be used as a launch pad at any cost.
ISI wants Taliban challenged
The months of growing differences between the Taliban and Pakistan army has helped the Islamic State grow. It wants to challenge the Taliban and preferably establish its rule in the country.
The differences between the Taliban and Pakistan army began when the former pushed the latter back. This led to a series of disputes which included the management of the movement of people. And goods across the Durand Line.
These differences were a blessing for the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) which immediately sent forces to fight alongside the Islamic State. The TTP has an axe to grind with the ISI and this strategy worked out well for the terror outfit. The ISI on the other hand gave support to the Islamic State. The main intention of this move is to challenge and then weaken the Taliban.
The Islamic State in a bid to show its strength has been attacking key targets of the Taliban. The attacks are not only aimed at weakening the Taliban, but embarrassing them as well. Recently the Islamic State claimed the assassination of prominent Taliban leader from the Haqqani Network, Khalil Rahman Haqqani in Kabul. This was an audacious strike since the Islamic State hit a top Taliban man. Moreover, the assassination took place in Kabul which is the stronghold of the Taliban. Furthermore, the assassination was also a message to the Taliban that it could challenge them without any outside support.
Another factor that has strengthened the Islamic State is that it has been getting a lot of funding through smuggling of precious stones and timber. This used to be controlled by the Haqqani Network for long.
The Islamic State has been in Afghanistan since 2015. It mainly comprised defectors from the TTP and members of the then insurgent Afghan Taliban.
