Taliban Regards Kashmir As Bilateral & Internal Issue, Focus Unlikely: Report

Experts have cautioned the Indian security agencies to increase vigil on the international border with Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir.

(Representative Image/Getty)

New Delhi: The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan has boosted speculations that it will not only increasing militancy in Jammu and Kashmir but will also increase Islamist terror groups in the valley. 

However, sources close to news agency ANI have said that the Taliban has clarified its position on Kashmir regards it as a bilateral, internal issue. The sources even said that Taliban's focus is unlikely on Kashmir.

"There will be increased security vigil in Kashmir but things are in control and Pakistan-based groups in Afghanistan have little capacity to use the situation," sources said. 

"Pakistan based groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi have some presence in Afghanistan, they have built check posts in some villages and parts of Kabul, along with Taliban," sources said.

"There are security concerns that Afghanistan might become the first epicenter of Islamic terrorism which has a state, they have access to all the weapons which Americans have supplied and also the weapons of 3 lakh plus Afghan National Army personnel," they added. 

Meanwhile, experts have cautioned the Indian security agencies to increase vigil on the international border with Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir. They speculate that Pakistan's ISI may push Afghan militia into Jammu and Kashmir to disturb the prevailing security scenario.

"The security agencies in India need to be careful and on high alert and need to take all possible steps to check the infiltration from the Pakistan side into Jammu and Kashmir. The ISI was also instrumental in pushing the Afghan militia into J&K when they were ousted from Afghanistan after the US security forces launched military operations against them," former Home Secretary GK Pillai told news agency IANS.

A senior official in the security setup said on the condition of anonymity that this may seriously undermine the aspirations of the Kashmiri population for peace and the desire of the Indian government to work for the sustainable development of the region.

However, some experts also feel that it will be a little early to comment on future course of action as the present Taliban appears to be different from what it used to be in 1999.