A Russian media commentary has alleged that the Taliban’s General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) is providing Chinese security agencies with exaggerated information about the threat posed by ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K).
According to the commentary, the alleged objective is to conceal an emerging armed resistance against the Taliban in Afghanistan’s northern Badakhshan province and encourage Beijing to provide greater military and political support to the Taliban.
The report claims that Taliban intelligence officials are allegedly using Afghan students in China, Afghan businessmen working with Chinese partners and contacts in countries including Iran, Russia and Central Asian states to circulate information while obscuring its original source.
The commentary also refers to an August 27 note reportedly issued by the Chinese embassy to Afghanistan’s Taliban foreign ministry. The note allegedly identified a Syrian national, known as “Sheikh Mumtaz,” as someone planning attacks, including against restaurants in Kabul frequented by foreign nationals and particularly Chinese citizens.
However, the authenticity of the diplomatic note and its reported contents could not be independently verified.
The analysis argues that the Taliban could have an incentive to portray instability in Badakhshan as an ISIS-K threat in order to persuade China that continued Taliban control is important for protecting Chinese citizens and economic interests in Afghanistan.
China maintains significant economic and security interests in Afghanistan and has long been concerned about militant groups, including the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM).
The Russian commentary concludes that the Taliban may seek increased Chinese assistance, including drones, weapons, funding and political backing, as pressure from Afghan opposition groups grows. These allegations remain unverified.