US taking 'whole-of-government approach' to its Afghanistan counterterrorism efforts
1. "...we’re working vigilantly to prevent re-emergence of external threats from Afghanistan," says State Dept
The US State Department stated on Friday that it is committed to ensuring Afghanistan never becomes a base for terrorist attacks against the US or its allies. This statement follows a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) report revealing the use of Afghan territory for terrorist activities.
State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel addressed the issue during a press briefing on Thursday, responding to questions about the US's stance on the UN report.
Patel said, "We've spoken about this before. [Daesh]-K is a transnational terrorist network with the ambition and capacity to launch international terrorist attacks." He emphasized the US's comprehensive approach to counterterrorism in Afghanistan, involving cooperation with regional partners and allies to prevent the resurgence of external threats from Afghanistan and counteract terrorist recruitment efforts.
The UNSC report supports Pakistan's view that terrorists from the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are finding refuge in Afghanistan. It also noted that TTP operatives and recruits are being trained in Afghanistan. The Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, which produced the report, highlighted that Pakistan faced over eight hundred attacks in recent months and that the terrorist threat from Afghanistan is a growing concern for many UN member states. The report also mentioned increased collaboration between TTP and the Taliban, with shared resources and training camps leading to more lethal attacks under the Tehreek-e Jihad Pakistan banner.
According to the report, Al-Qaeda is seeking to strengthen ties with regional terrorist organizations such as ETIM/TIP, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, and Jamaat Ansarullah, aiming to expand into Central Asia.
When asked about conversations between the US and India regarding assassination plans targeting Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Patel directed inquiries to the Canadian Government, citing their law enforcement jurisdiction. He reiterated the US's expectation of accountability from the Indian government concerning the alleged role of an Indian Government employee in the failed assassination attempt of a US citizen on US soil last summer. The US continues to raise these concerns with the Indian Government at senior levels.
Bloomberg reported that five men were arrested on firearms charges on November 3, 2023, near Brampton, Ontario, a day before the son of a prominent Sikh independence movement member's wedding. Notable attendees, including New York-based lawyer Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, were expected at the event. Among the arrested was Amandeep Singh, later charged in the murder of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June 2023. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused the Narendra Modi-led government in New Delhi of directing the assassination.
