After capturing Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has expanded its reach by gaining ground in other countries, such as Libya. A suicide attack in Afghanistan earlier this month now raises fear that the war-torn country may be the next stronghold of the group.
According to reports, Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) has reported to the Prime Minister’s Office that an increase in ISIS activity on Afghanistan and Pakistan border is a big concern for security of India.
India is already battling terrorism emanating from Pakistani soil.
This is also to be noted that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, during his first visit to India recently, had made it clear that Taliban is not his primary security challenge.
During a conversation with journalists earlier this week, Ghani cited global terrorist networks like ISIS as one of the four drivers of Afghan insecurity. He had described ISIS as a “man-eater Bengal tiger”, which needs to be “dealt regionally”.
Ghani had earlier blamed ISIS for the suicide bombing of Kabul bank branch in Jalalabad, which killed 35 people.
ISIS militants control vast territories in Iraq and Syria.
