Categories: World

ISIS challenge to China, suicide attacker of Shia mosque was from ETIM

<p>
In claiming responsibility for the attack on a Shia mosque in Kunduz in Afghanistan on Friday, the , the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) has asserted that "the perpetrator of the attack was from among the Uyghur muslims, whom the Taliban have pledged to expel and exclude in response to China's demands and their policies against Muslims”.  The ISKP statement underlined that the attacker was ethnic Uyghur — an oppressed Muslim minority in western China. China has long been concerned that Afghanistan could become a haven for Uyghur militants who might seek to attack Chinese government interests in revenge for its abuses against the muslim population in Xinjiang. </p>
<p>
<strong>Also Read :</strong>  <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/blast-at-shia-mosque-which-killed-over-exposes-afghanistan-s-fault-lines-120136.html">Blast at Shia mosque which killed over 100 exposes Afghanistan’s fault lines</a></p>
<p>
China is particularly worried about the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM ) which has, as per UN reports, moved 1000 fighters along with Tajik, Uzbeks and Chechen fighters in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province that shares a border with Xinjiang province of China.</p>
<p>
Earlier EITM and other groups have fought along with the Taliban and helped them capturing of Northern Afghanistan but China made it clear to the Taliban leaders that if they want Chinese help they will have to “make a clean break with all terrorist organisations including East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) which  poses a direct threat to China's national security and territorial integrity. But the Taliban has not fulfilled its promises so far.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also Read :</strong>  <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/india-news/china-s-intelligence-chief-mounts-pressure-on-sirajuddin-haqqani-to-extradite-uyghur-militants-from-afghanistan-120083.html">China’s intelligence chief mounts pressure on Sirajuddin Haqqani to extradite Uyghur militants from Afghanistan</a></p>
<p>
According to Afghan sources, China has mounted pressure on  Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Interior Minister of the Taliban government  for extradition of prominent members of militant outfit ETIM. According to Afghan sources, the Taliban did try to move ETIM and Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP)  fighters from the Afghan-China border but they refused to do so. Then The Taliban tried to relocate them on Tajik border and told the Chinese that Uyghur militants were not operating in Afghanistan. It was then the ETIM decided to align with the ISKP which has accused the Taliban of abandoning jihad in favour of negotiated peace settlement in Afghanistan is a cause of deep concern among Chinese authorities. The group’s supreme leader Shahab al-Muhajir had last year announced a long war against the Taliban and the then Afghan government.</p>
<p>
Though the Taliban insists that ISKP was "not as much of a threat" in Afghanistan media outlets were ignoring the Taliban's claims to have "driven out" ISKP fighters from strongholds east of Kabul but recent attacks by the insurgent group belies these claims. There are also reports that some disgruntled Taliban foot soldiers are believed to have abandoned the group to join ISKP and al-Qaeda and some of ISKP leaders are inside the Taliban too. </p>
<p>
For China it is a double threat. While the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has been a major threat in Pakistan, in Afghanistan, China’s challenges have just begun.</p>

Mrityunjoy Kumar Jha

Mrityunjoy Kumar Jha has decades of field experience in covering global terrorism, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. He is also an enthusiastic wildlife photographer.

Recent Posts

VINBAX 2024: Vietnam-India bilateral army exercise concludes at Kaushalya Dam

The fifth edition of the historic Indo-Vietnam Joint Field Training Exercise, VINBAX-2024, successfully concluded its…

12 hours ago

India-Russia strengthen defence ties at 22nd Working Group meeting on military technical cooperation

The 22nd meeting of the India-Russia Working Group on Military technical cooperation and defence industry…

12 hours ago

“I want to have strong representation of India at World Nuclear Exhibition 2025”: Sylvie Bermann

Sylvie Bermann, President of the World Nuclear Exhibition expressed confidence in India's nuclear supply chain…

13 hours ago

PoJK: Joint Awami Action Committee protests against government following new ordinance, many injured

Joint Awami Action Committee core member Shaukat Nawaz Mir has condemned the attack of police…

14 hours ago

PM Modi meets 31 world leaders, heads of organisations during his 3-nation foreign visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in 31 Bilateral Meetings and informal interactions with global leaders…

16 hours ago

India- Australia conduct 11th Indian Air Force-Royal Australian Air Force Air Staff Talks

India and Australia conducted the 11th edition of the Indian Air Force and Royal Australian…

16 hours ago