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UN: Thousands of Anti-Pakistan Militants in Afghanistan

Associated Press

   ISLAMABAD - A U.N. report says more than 6,000 Pakistani insurgents,
   most belonging to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) group
   attacking Pakistani military and civilian targets, are hiding in
   Afghanistan.

   The report released this week said the organization has linked up with
   the Afghan-based Islamic State affiliate and some of its members have
   even joined the IS group, which has its headquarters in eastern
   Afghanistan.

   The Afghan government did not respond to The Associated Press requests
   Sunday for comment.

   The report said the IS in Afghanistan, known as IS in Khorasan
   province, has been hit hard by the Afghan Security Forces, as well as
   U.S. and NATO forces and even on occasion by the Taliban. The report
   was prepared by the U.N. analytical and sanctions monitoring team,
   which tracks terrorist groups around the world.

   The report estimated the membership of the Islamic State affiliate in
   Afghanistan at 2,200 and while its leadership has been depleted it
   still counts among its leaders a Syrian national Abu Said Mohammad
   al-Khorasani.

   The report also said the monitoring team had received information that
   two senior Islamic State commanders, Abu Qutaibah and Abu Hajar
   al-Iraqi, had recently arrived in Afghanistan from the Middle East.

   "Although in territorial retreat, [the Islamic State]remains capable of
   carrying out high-profile attacks in various parts of the country,
   including Kabul. It also aims to attract Taliban fighters who oppose
   the agreement with the United States," said the report referring to a
   U.S. peace deal signed with the Taliban in February.

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