In a nighttime operation in northern Afghanistan, several individuals suspected of belonging to the Islamic State jihadist network were killed, and a Taliban security guard sustained injuries. Taliban government spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid stated on social media that an unspecified number of ISIS suspects were eliminated and a Taliban security agent was wounded during an Afghan special forces mission.
The confrontation took place in the city of Mazari Sharif, located in Balkh province’s northern territory. All weapons in the possession of the suspects were seized, and Mujahid added that the group at the center of the operation appeared to be under the influence of jihadist elements.
The violence followed closely on the heels of a suicide attack that claimed the life of Balkh’s governor, a senior Taliban official, along with two other participants during a routine working session.
Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, Afghan security forces have conducted numerous counterterrorism operations aimed at degrading ISIS networks. Authorities describe these efforts as essential for stabilizing the country and upholding the security assurances made when the regime resumed control. ISIS has claimed responsibility for a string of attacks in recent months, underscoring the persistent threat posed by jihadist factions in the region.
Fundamentalist factions continue to contend with ISIS, a situation that has positioned the group as a prominent security challenge as Afghanistan navigates its post-conflict landscape. Analysts note that the persistence of these threats persists despite the new government’s attempts to establish control and reassure international partners about the country’s stability.