Pakistan Accuses Afghan Taliban Governor of Hosting Militant Leaders’ Meeting in Kandahar

ISLAMABAD (Terror Monitor) — Pakistan’s military on Thursday accused an Afghan Taliban governor of hosting senior leaders of several militant groups in Kandahar for discussions on escalating attacks inside Pakistan, alleging that representatives of the groups explored ways to coordinate their activities despite having different ideological objectives.

Pakistan Army spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry said the meeting took place on August 26 in Kandahar, southern Afghanistan, and involved representatives of the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group.

According to the Pakistani military, the meeting was hosted by Kandahar Governor Mullah Shireen Akhund. An intelligence report reviewed by The Associated Press also identified Shireen as the host and alleged that Afghan and Indian intelligence officials helped arrange the gathering. However, Sharif did not explain how Pakistani authorities obtained information about the meeting or publicly present evidence to substantiate the allegations.

Three Militant Groups Allegedly Discussed Coordination

Speaking at a televised news conference, Sharif said the meeting brought together representatives of groups with different ideological objectives to discuss cooperation in attacks inside Pakistan.

The BLA is an ethnic Baloch separatist organisation that seeks independence for Balochistan and has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks against Pakistani security forces and other targets.

AQIS is the South Asian affiliate of the transnational al-Qaeda militant network, while the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group is a Pakistani Islamist militant network with roots in North Waziristan, a former tribal district bordering Afghanistan.

According to the intelligence report reviewed by the Associated Press, BLA representatives allegedly expressed concern about shortages of fighters and resources following Pakistani military operations. The report further alleged that representatives of other militant networks discussed providing manpower, weapons and logistical support for attacks in Balochistan.

These details have not been independently verified, and the Pakistani military did not publicly disclose supporting evidence during the news conference.

Afghan Taliban Government Rejects Allegations

The Afghan Taliban government did not immediately respond to a request for comment following Sharif’s remarks.

However, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid had previously rejected allegations contained in the intelligence report, saying Afghan authorities did not allow armed groups to use Afghan territory for activities against Pakistan.

Mujahid described the allegations as rumours and propaganda intended to damage Afghanistan’s reputation and fuel a campaign against the country.

On Friday, the office of Kandahar’s governor also rejected Pakistan’s allegation that Mullah Shireen had hosted the meeting, describing the claim as propaganda. The governor’s office accused Pakistani military circles of making the allegations to justify civilian deaths in Afghanistan and other actions by Pakistan.

Pakistan Warns It Will Take Measures to Protecconference

During Thursday’s televised news conference, Sharif accused Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government of supporting and providing protection to militant organisations operating against Pakistan.

He said Islamabad would take the necessary measures to safeguard Pakistani citizens, particularly amid continuing militant violence in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban administration of allowing militants, particularly members of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), to operate from Afghan territory and launch cross-border attacks. Kabul has rejected accusations that it permits its territory to be used for attacks against neighbouring countries. <Cite refs={["turn217498search2","turn217498search6"]}/>

The latest allegations emerged amid renewed tensions between Islamabad and Kabul following Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Helmand and Kunar provinces.

Pakistan said the strikes targeted militant hideouts and killed 22 militants. Afghan authorities and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan reported civilian deaths, including women and children, with the UN mission confirming that at least 10 civilians had been killed. The conflicting accounts could not be independently reconciled. <Cite refs={["turn217498news20","turn217498search5"]}/>

Growing Security Concerns Along the Pakistan-Afghanistan Border

Pakistan has faced persistent militant attacks in recent years, with the TTP and Baloch separatist organisations among the groups responsible for violence in different parts of the country.

The Pakistani government maintains that militant sanctuaries across the Afghan border contribute to insecurity inside Pakistan. The Afghan Taliban administration disputes Islamabad’s allegations and has called for political solutions to bilateral disputes.

The reported August 26 meeting, if confirmed, would raise further questions about possible coordination among organisations whose political objectives and ideological backgrounds differ significantly. However, the available public information does not independently establish that the alleged meeting took place as described or that Afghan and Indian intelligence officials helped organise it.

The allegations and subsequent denials come at a time of heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with both sides exchanging accusations over cross-border militancy and military operations.

Sharif said Pakistan would take whatever measures it considered necessary to protect its population and national security, while Afghan officials have rejected claims that their government supports attacks inside Pakistan.