Pakistan Tells Uzbekistan Over 2,500 Uzbek Militants Stationed in Afghanistan

Pakistan's special representative Mohammad Sadiq said he discussed security challenges facing neighbors due to the Afghan Taliban's hosting of terrorists during talks with Uzbekistan's special envoy for Afghanistan, Ismatullah Irgashov.

In a post on X, Sadiq wrote that reports indicate more than 2,500 Uzbek militants are stationed in Afghanistan, likely the second-largest terrorist group there after the Pakistani Taliban.

The remarks come amid heightened tensions between the Afghan Taliban and Pakistan following Pakistani airstrikes on targets in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces. Pakistan stated the strikes targeted Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) affiliates, killing at least 70 militants.

The Afghan Taliban claimed the airstrikes hit civilians. The United Nations confirmed at least 13 civilians killed and seven wounded in the Nangarhar strike, but reported no civilian casualties in Paktika.

Uzbekistan maintains close political and economic ties with the Afghan Taliban but, like other Central Asian states, has expressed concerns over terrorist activities in Afghanistan. UN Security Council reports confirm operations by groups including the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan in the country.