Russian Official Warns of Increased ISIS-K Transfers to Afghanistan

Alexander Bortnikov, the head of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), issued a warning during a meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, stating that the transfer of ISIS fighters to Afghanistan has intensified. According to the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, Bortnikov emphasized that ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K) aims to destabilize Central Asian countries.

ISIS-K’s Growing Influence
Bortnikov claimed that the process of transferring terrorist fighters from the Middle East to Afghanistan for recruitment into ISIS-K has accelerated. He alleged that “a number of foreign private military companies are involved in the process of funneling resources into this network.”

The FSB chief stated that ISIS leaders aim to infiltrate the borders of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). In this regard, ISIS-K has launched active online propaganda in Tajik, Kyrgyz, Uzbek, and, unprecedentedly, Kazakh languages.

Local Recruitment and Training Camps
Bortnikov stressed that ISIS recruitment from local communities is ongoing, and “with the help of foreign intelligence services, the network of militant training camps is expanding.”

He warned that strengthening ISIS-K is beneficial for foreign actors, both in weakening the Taliban and in creating a long-term source of terrorist threats along the southern borders of the CIS countries.

Threat to Central Asia and Russia
Bortnikov added, “Given the experience of ISIS expansion in the Middle East, its Afghan branch, with the slogan of creating a global caliphate, will seek to enter the space of the CIS countries. This makes the increase in the number of our citizens in ISIS ranks even more dangerous.”

He noted that the results of joint operational efforts by CIS intelligence agencies indicate that “the aggressiveness of ISIS actions against the republics of Central Asia and Russia is increasing.”

Cooperation with the Taliban
Bortnikov stated that Taliban authorities in Kabul are also aware of the threat posed by the continuous strengthening of ISIS-K. He recommended establishing fuller and more active cooperation with Taliban intelligence, emphasizing that “normalizing the situation in Afghanistan as a key threat zone for all of Central Asia is in our common interest.”

Focus on Drug Trafficking
Speaking at a meeting of the Council of Heads of Security Agencies and Special Services of the CIS, Bortnikov also highlighted the importance of developing cooperation with the Taliban in combating drug trafficking.

He noted, “Afghan drug traffickers have now shifted their focus to synthetic and psychotropic drugs. We are seeing the emergence of new production facilities, cross-border channels, and new methods of transferring synthetic drugs to CIS countries.”

Recent Counter-Terrorism Operations
Bortnikov also reported that 60 terrorists had been identified and detained in joint counter-terrorism operations by CIS countries.

Earlier Warnings
Earlier, Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, had warned that over 23,000 fighters from international terrorist groups are present in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

Conclusion:
Bortnikov’s warning underscores the growing threat of ISIS-K in Afghanistan and its potential to destabilize Central Asia. The call for increased cooperation with the Taliban highlights the complex security dynamics in the region, where counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics efforts are increasingly intertwined.