New York: Al-Qaeda operating in Afghanistan is providing various forms of support to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and other militant groups involved in terrorist activities in Pakistan, according to a United Nations report.
The report said links between militant networks operating from Afghanistan and terrorist activities in Pakistan were increasing.
According to the UN report, after Al-Qaeda was driven out of Afghanistan in 2001, its fighters moved into Pakistan’s tribal areas, where they were provided shelter by the TTP. Ties between the two groups have strengthened further since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
The report said Al-Qaeda has helped enhance the TTP’s strategic, training and propaganda capabilities.
In April this year, Al-Qaeda’s media wing also publicly declared support for the TTP’s operations against Pakistan for the first time.
US professor Amira Jadoon said ties between the two organisations ranged from operational support at the grassroots level to greater convergence of their narratives at the senior level.
Another research consultant said Al-Qaeda had been urging the Pakistani Taliban since 2020 to dissolve its separate organisational structure and merge with Al-Qaeda.
Some experts believe pressure from the Afghan Taliban may also be behind such efforts.
The report said that since returning to power in 2021, the Afghan Taliban had provided various militant groups with facilities including shelter, accommodation and financial stipends in Afghanistan.
Reports also claim that the Afghan Taliban issued local identification cards to individuals affiliated with the TTP, Al-Qaeda and Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent. These reportedly include Uyghurs linked to the East Turkistan Islamic Movement, also known as the Turkistan Islamic Party.
According to the United Nations, Al-Qaeda’s assistance is not limited to the TTP and extends to militant groups including the banned Balochistan Liberation Army and Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan.
The report said Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent provides training and strategic assistance to Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan.
Some experts, however, note that Al-Qaeda and the TTP have different objectives and strategies. Despite those differences, ideological similarities have allowed cooperation to continue in areas including media, propaganda, training and logistical support.
In December 2025, the United Nations described Al-Qaeda as a “service provider” for militant groups operating in Afghanistan, saying it provided training, advice and logistical assistance.
