Commander Saeed made it clear that no individual or faction may declare or engage in jihad without explicit permission from the Emir, the Afghan Taliban’s supreme leader
News Desk
KABUL: The Afghan Taliban have issued a stern warning to the militant group known as Fitna-tul-Khawarij, forbidding them from conducting terrorist operations outside Afghanistan, with a particular emphasis on Pakistan. The warning was delivered by senior Taliban commander Saeedullah Saeed during a police passing-out ceremony, underscoring the Taliban leadership’s firm stance against unauthorized militant activity beyond their borders.
Commander Saeed made it clear that no individual or faction has the authority to declare or engage in jihad without explicit permission from the Emir, the supreme leader of the Afghan Taliban. He stressed that any cross-border fighting, especially in Pakistan, carried out without the Emir’s sanction, is unjustified and runs counter to Islamic law. “Fighting in any country — especially Pakistan — without the Emir’s permission is not justified,” he stated, dismissing militants who carry out attacks abroad as illegitimate actors driven by personal egos or group loyalties rather than true religious duty.
Saeed’s message carried a strong religious and political weight. He clarified that the authority to declare or permit jihad rests solely with the state leadership, and those who defy these orders not only break from the chain of command but also violate Sharia law. By condemning militant groups that operate independently under the banner of jihad, the Taliban leadership sought to distance itself from uncontrolled violence that threatens both Islamic principles and state sovereignty.
This public denunciation signals a significant shift in the Taliban’s posture, emphasizing their intent to regulate militant activity and curb unrestrained violence that spills across borders. Security experts view the statement as a boost to Pakistan’s internal security narrative, reinforcing Islamabad’s position that proxy militant groups exploiting religious rhetoric are undermining regional stability. Analysts note that by explicitly disowning groups like Fitna-tul-Khawarij, the Taliban are undercutting India-backed proxies that have long used the guise of jihad to fuel unrest, thus challenging narratives that have complicated peace efforts.
The warning from the Taliban leadership arrives amid ongoing concerns about cross-border militancy and reflects an effort to assert control over armed factions within Afghanistan. It also strengthens Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to highlight the dangers posed by foreign-backed insurgents operating under the pretext of religious warfare, calling for a collective commitment to peace and lawful governance in the region.
