Australia Introduces Independent Sanctions Regime Targeting Taliban Leadership

In a statement, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the militants were killed in two separate operations in the province bordering Afghanistan. It described the fighters as members of the “Fitna al-Khawarij” linked to India, a term the army uses to refer to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Weapons and ammunition were reportedly recovered.

The TTP has not yet commented.

According to ISPR, seven militants were killed in Tank and two in Lakki Marwat during exchanges of fire with Pakistani forces. The army accused them of involvement in targeted killings of civilians and other “terrorist activities” against security personnel.

The announcement came as heavy gunfire was exchanged between Taliban and Pakistani forces in Spin Boldak district. Both sides blamed each other for starting the confrontation.

Taliban officials in Kandahar said three civilians were killed and five others wounded in the border clashes.

In a video message on Saturday, Fitrat urged neighbouring states to expand meaningful cooperation with the group to preserve stability and strengthen regional connectivity.

His remarks followed comments by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who told India Today that engagement with the Taliban was necessary because the group represents the current reality in Afghanistan and is fighting “terrorist organizations such as ISIS.” Russia is the only country to have formally recognized the Taliban, and despite concerns over rising extremism, Moscow continues to emphasise engagement and cooperation.

India, too, has expanded its contacts with the Taliban. Following heightened tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan, the group’s foreign and commerce ministers travelled to New Delhi, where they agreed with Indian officials to deepen trade and transit ties. India is also expected to supply medicines to Afghanistan after the Taliban banned pharmaceutical imports from Pakistan.

The 33-page document focuses mainly on restricting migration, countering China, deterring Russia, and strengthening US homeland security. South Asia and the Middle East receive only brief references.

A review of earlier National Security Strategy papers shows that in 2010 Afghanistan was one of Washington’s top security priorities and, after Iraq, appeared most frequently in the text. Its prominence declined sharply in the 2017 and 2022 editions, and it was removed from the list of priority countries. In the 2025 version, Afghanistan has disappeared entirely.

In recent months, Trump repeatedly commented on the Bagram air base and suggested the need to “take it back”, remarks that triggered strong reactions from the Taliban and concern among regional states. Despite those earlier statements, the president has remained silent on Bagram for nearly two months, and the new strategy assigns no role or priority to Afghanistan.

The National Security Strategy, issued by each US administration, outlines the government’s vision for protecting national security, its political and military priorities, major threats, and its approach to global engagement.

The decision was made during a meeting in Samangan attended by Taliban governors from northwestern provinces and senior security officials.

The spokesperson for the Taliban governor in Balkh said in a statement on Friday that the meeting was held in Aybak with the participation of provincial governors, police commanders, intelligence chiefs, the deputy commander of the Taliban’s 209th Corps, and the head of the military court in Balkh. According to the spokesperson, the new unit will be able to deploy quickly to border areas whenever required.

The announcement comes days after two attacks launched from inside Afghanistan toward Tajikistan killed five people, including three Chinese nationals, and wounded five others. On Friday, 28 November, the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks and said the administration was fully prepared to help secure the border and conduct a joint investigation.

Earlier this year, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) voiced concern over instability in Afghanistan and the growing threats emanating from the country’s northern provinces. The bloc stressed the need for a targeted intergovernmental programme to reinforce Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan.

According to information from the CSTO, the border-strengthening initiative is scheduled to begin in 2025 and will be implemented in three phases over five years.

The three-day meeting, held from 3 to 5 December and hosted by Independent Diplomat and the European Foundation for Democracy, brought together representatives of Afghan opposition groups, EU member states, and officials from European institutions. Sources told Afghanistan International that members of the Afghanistan Freedom Front, the National Resistance Front, women’s groups, and civil society activists were among the attendees.

According to the report, the organisers hope the launch of what they called an “important political dialogue” will help generate solutions to Afghanistan’s political, security, and humanitarian crises. The magazine wrote that the “Taliban regime” has become an increasing threat not only to regional security but also to global and European security, citing widespread human rights violations, political repression, and the spread of extremism.

The two organisations did not release detailed information about the participants or discussions. Independent Diplomat, a non-profit entity, provides marginalised groups with access to political processes and high-level diplomatic engagement. The European Foundation for Democracy focuses on countering violent extremism and promoting democracy, human rights, and pluralism.

The report said the Brussels conference stressed the need for the Taliban to sever ties with terrorist groups and ensure such organisations do not operate inside Afghanistan. It also called for the “unconditional release of all foreign nationals” held in Taliban prisons. These measures were described as essential for restoring stability and legitimacy and for moving Afghanistan towards a representative political system.

According to South Asia Journal, participants argued that the Taliban’s “harsh and misguided policies” have forced millions of Afghans to flee, destabilised neighbouring regions, and placed a heavy burden on countries across the region and in Europe. The magazine said the Taliban have failed to curb cross-border militant groups, increasing instability and heightening tensions with neighbours.

The report also noted growing European concern over developments in Afghanistan. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar recently said he had brief