Kandahar- Moscow bombings, ISIS and Pakistan

The recent ISIS claimed terrorist bombings in Kandahar, Afghanistan, and Moscow, Russia, once again highlight Pakistan’s role as a nexus for Islamic extremism and terrorism. Despite Pakistan’s constant portrayal of itself as a victim of terrorism, its history of leveraging Islamic terrorism for geopolitical goals, including misusing anti-terrorism operations in regions like Khaibaer Pukhonkhwa and Baluchistan, and its historical practice of distinguishing between “good terrorists” and “bad terrorists,” raise doubts about its sincerity in combating terrorism.

In the aftermath of these recent ISIS bombings, Pakistan’s connection to ISIS training has been emphasized by numerous experts and organizations. For instance, a report in MINT publication quoted sources indicating that an individual named Madiyarov Asadbek, responsible for the Kandahar attack, underwent training in Baluchistan after joining ISIS-Khorasan[1]. Moreover, the Taliban, who have been targeted by these bombings, have shown significant efforts in containing ISIS activities within Afghanistan, as noted by Antonio Giustozzi, a Senior Research Fellow “A common metric of success and failure in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency is the level of violent activities. On this basis, it could be argued that the Taliban were successful in handling the Islamic State in Khorasan (IS-K) threat. During 2023, IS-K attacks almost came to a halt. In April and May, there was not a single confirmed attack. From June to September, IS-K was only able to carry out one or two attacks per month, including gunfire attacks on Taliban patrols. From October, there was a modest resurgence, but even then, only four confirmed attacks took place in the month, including two involving explosives[2]”.

Historical Context

The roots of Pakistan’s entanglement with Islamic extremism can be traced back to its creation in 1947. Pakistan’s identity, deeply entwined with Islam, has been manipulated by both state and non-state actors for political gains, fostering an environment conducive to extremism. As the Pakistan military ruler General Ziaulhaq stated in the 1980’s “Pakistan is like Israel, an ideological state. Take out the Judaism from Israel and it will fall like a house of cards. Take Islam out of Pakistan and make it a secular state; it would collapse.[i] ”While the British created Pakistan in the name of Islam for its strategic reasons to maintain bases in the region, the Pakistan which has evolved is a military state which has always on the Islamic extremists groups inside Pakistan and in its geopolitical perspective.

Geopolitical Dynamics

Pakistan’s strategic location, nestled between Afghanistan, Iran, India, and China, has made it a battleground for regional powers vying for influence. The Afghan-Soviet War in the 1980s saw Pakistan becoming a key player in supporting the Mujahidin, including elements that later formed the nucleus of al-Qaeda. This period also marked the rise of Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI, which maintained close ties with extremist groups to further its strategic objectives in the region.

State Patronage

Pakistan’s ambiguous stance towards certain terrorist organizations has long been a subject of international concern. While officially denouncing terrorism, elements within the state apparatus have been accused of providing covert support to militant groups. This duality in policy has not only fueled domestic radicalization but has also invited criticism and sanctions from the international community.

Socio-Economic Factors

Socio-economic disparities and governance challenges have created fertile ground for extremism to flourish in Pakistan. Marginalized communities, particularly in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, have been susceptible to recruitment by terrorist organizations offering financial incentives and ideological indoctrination. The lack of effective governance in these areas has further compounded the problem, allowing militant groups to establish strongholds with relative impunity.

Ideological Influence

The spread of Wahhabism and other ultra-conservative strains of Islam have also contributed to Pakistan’s susceptibility to extremism. Madrassas, or religious seminaries, have proliferated across the country, often promoting a narrow interpretation of Islam that legitimizes violence against perceived enemies of the faith. This ideological infrastructure has provided a breeding ground for radicalization, with many militants being indoctrinated at these institutions.

In conclusion, Pakistan’s status as a magnet for Islamic terrorist groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS is a result of a complex interplay of historical, geopolitical, socio-economic, and ideological factors. Pakistan needs to sincerely fight Islamic extremism terrorism instead of using the anti-Islamic extremism terrorism as a geopolitical tool.

[1] Livemint (2024) Moscow attack gunmen trained in Pakistan? Taliban flags ‘Isis recruitment hubs’, mint. Available at: https://www.livemint.com/news/world/moscow-attack-gunmen-trained-in-pakistan-taliban-flags-isis-recruitment-hubs-11711276550224.html (Accessed: 26 March 2024).

[2] Antonio Giustozzi et al. (no date) The Islamic State in Khorasan between Taliban counter-terrorism and resurgence prospects, ICCT. Available at: https://www.icct.nl/publication/islamic-state-khorasan-between-taliban-counter-terrorism-and-resurgence-prospects (Accessed: 26 March 2024).

[i] Pande, A. (no date) Islam in the national story of Pakistan. Available at: https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA347656597&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=1940834X&p=AONE&sw=w&userGroupName=anon%7Ec3090ad9&aty=open-web-entry.

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