In a move interpreted as a gesture of cooperation with Islamabad, Afghanistan’s intelligence agency has arrested three suspected recruiters and commanders linked to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and allied militant factions.
According to sources, the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) carried out targeted operations in Paktika and Khost provinces, detaining Hayatullah—also known as Ghalchaki Tangiwal—who served as a commander for the Mullah Sangin Group. Two of his close associates were captured alongside him, and the group’s local office was dismantled during the raids.
The detainees have since been transferred to Kabul’s Pul-e-Charkhi prison. Hayatullah is accused of playing a central role in recruiting Afghan nationals for the TTP as well as for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Gandapur (TTG) faction. Sources further revealed that the suspects were involved in planning an attack aimed at sabotaging the recent trilateral meeting between Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan in Kabul. They also allegedly opposed the Taliban-led government’s August 15 “independence day” celebrations, commemorating the withdrawal of US and allied forces from Afghanistan.
The arrests coincide with renewed counterterrorism coordination between Islamabad and Kabul. Pakistan has consistently urged Afghanistan to take stronger action against TTP operatives and facilitators using Afghan soil to launch cross-border attacks.
Islamabad has also raised concerns over the TTP’s growing ties with other militant organisations, particularly those operating in Balochistan. Pakistani officials have pointed to an emerging nexus between the TTP and the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), especially its Majeed Brigade, which has carried out high-profile suicide attacks.
These concerns were validated in a recent report by the UN Security Council, which confirmed collaboration between the TTP and BLA/Majeed Brigade. The arrests by Afghan intelligence may therefore represent an effort to ease tensions with Pakistan while addressing international pressure over the presence of terrorist networks in the region.
Also on TTI:The Pakistani Foreign Office has described a cautiously optimistic shift in engagement with the Afghan Taliban over Pakistan’s long-standing concern about terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan.
