Al-Qaeda 'ideologically inclined' to carry out attacks in India: UN
Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), the terror group's newest affiliate, is "ideologically inclined" to carry out attacks inside India but its capability is believed to be low and is relatively isolated owing to increased security measures in India, a UN report said. The 22nd report of Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team was submitted to UNSC Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee in the United Nations.
Al-Qaeda adapts to local environment, closely allied with Taliban: Report
According to Member States of the UN, the strength of AQIS in Afghanistan is estimated at several hundred people, located in Laghman, Paktika, Kandahar, Ghazni and Zabul provinces. Noting that al-Qaeda still maintains a presence in South Asia, the report said the terror group adapts to the local environment, trying to embed itself into local struggles and communities and is closely allied with Taliban.
Al-Qaeda is the intellectually stronger group, says UN report
According to one Member State, although IS of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), also known as ISIS, poses an immediate threat, al-Qaeda is the intellectually stronger group and remains a longer-term threat. The report added that some members of al-Qaeda core, including Aiman al-Zawahiri and son of slain al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, Hamza bin Laden are reported to be in Afghanistan-Pakistan border areas.
Between 20,000 and 30,000 IS fighters remain in Iraq, Syria
The UN report said that between 20,000 and 30,000 Islamic State fighters remain in Iraq and Syria and among these, there is still a significant component of the many thousands of active foreign terrorist fighters.
Sanctions Monitoring Team submits independent reports every 6 months
The Sanctions Monitoring Team submits independent reports every six months to the UN Security Council on the Islamic State, al-Qaeda and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities. The United Nations report added that in Afghanistan, ISIL persistently tried to expand its presence, despite pressure from the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, the international coalition, and the Taliban.
ISIL responsible for at least one attack in Kashmir: Report
One Member State reported that some recent plots detected in Europe had originated from ISIL in Afghanistan. "ISIL in Afghanistan is responsible for at least one attack in Kashmir region," UN report said. However, no details about the attack were given in the report.
ISIL has between 3,500 and 4,000 members in Afghanistan
The report noted that ISIL has between 3,500 and 4,000 members in Afghanistan, including between 600 and 1,000 in northern Afghanistan (with both numbers on the increase). It is led by Abu Sayed Bajauri who isn't listed and the majority of its members and leaders were formerly members of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan and it may represent an emerging threat to the Central Asian States.
