SECURITY — March 14, 2026
Former Afghan Security Chief Alleges Regional Actors Seek to Shift Conflicts into Pakistani Territory
Rahmatullah Nabil, former Afghan National Security head, alleged on X that regional actors including Iran, India, and Russia seek to shift conflicts from the Durand Line into Pakistan amid ISIS-K activities in areas like Mastung Balochistan. He claimed Islamabad uses such networks to pressure the Taliban and as leverage with the US, while the Taliban may acquire unmarked drones in response.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Hasht-e Subh — 2 min read
KABUL (Afghan Verified) — Rahmatullah Nabil, former head of Afghanistan's National Security, stated there is evidence that regional actors are attempting to shift conflicts from areas along the Durand Line into Pakistani territory.
Nabil made the comments on Saturday, 23 Hoot, by reposting a note from four months earlier on his X page. He cited security sources reporting unusual movements in Mastung Balochistan, Malakand Bajaur, and the Waziristans.
According to Nabil, these regions are sites for the deployment and training of groups affiliated with the Islamic State's Khorasan branch. He alleged that Islamabad employs these networks to pressure the Taliban while using them as a "bargaining chip" with the United States and other regional actors, by creating threats and then offering to contain them.
Nabil further claimed that Iran, India, and Russia aim to redirect the scope of conflict into Pakistani territory should these centers become active.
He also referenced reports from independent sources indicating that the Taliban may receive unmarked drones to counter what he described as the "rented insecurity project."
Read the original reporting at Hasht-e Subh →
Reliability assessment
Single source provides direct, on-record attribution to named former official Rahmatullah Nabil's X post with concrete details including specific locations (Mastung Balochistan, Malakand Bajaur, Waziristans) and timing; core event of Nabil's statements is checkable
The source language mixes facts with framing or advocacy wording. Hasht-e Subh: "rented insecurity project" - pejorative framing implying artificial, mercenary instability; "bargaining chip" - accuses manipulative strategy of creating and containing threats; speculative assertions about regional actors' intentions to "shift the conflict" add opinionated conspiracy framing.
Across the newsrooms
Filed by
Hasht-e Subh
Originating
Framed
Framed
Filed under
Security — Rahmatullah Nabil, Durand Line, ISIS-Khorasan, Pakistan, Taliban
Spotted an error or have more on this story? Tip the desk on Telegram → or WhatsApp →.
Reader supported
Keep Ehtebar running
Every published story uses paid tools to translate reporting, compare sources, extract claims, and produce a clearer read on Afghanistan. Reader support helps keep that work independent.
€5
helps cover daily verification runs
€15
supports a week of source comparison
€50
keeps independent analysis moving
