Against ISIS-K

WASHINGTON: Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, has described Pakistan as a vital counterterrorism partner in ongoing efforts to contain threats from Afghanistan-based militants, especially the Islamic State Khorasan Province group known as ISIS-K.

Speaking before the US Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday, Cooper stressed that cooperation with Pakistan remains essential to Washington’s strategy after the 2021 withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan.

The admiral said terrorist threats originating from Afghan soil continue to drive US engagement with regional partners. Washington now depends on a network of partnerships instead of maintaining troops inside Afghanistan.

“Pakistan is a key counterterrorism partner that plays a central role in the fight against ISIS-K in the region,” Cooper told lawmakers. He pointed to tangible results from the strong military-to-military partnership with Islamabad, particularly against high-value targets with American blood on their hands.

Cooper’s remarks come amid persistent concerns over ISIS-K’s operational capacity. The group has claimed multiple attacks inside both Afghanistan and Pakistan in recent years, keeping security forces on high alert across the region.

A December 2025 report by the United Nations Security Council’s Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team warned that ISIS-K continues to pose serious threats within Afghanistan, across the region, and beyond. The assessment noted the group’s resilience despite Taliban efforts to curb its activities.

Since the US exit in August 2021, American officials have relied on an over-the-horizon approach. This strategy emphasizes intelligence sharing, targeted operations, and close coordination with allies like Pakistan rather than direct ground presence.

Pakistani security officials have conducted numerous operations against militant networks in border regions. These efforts have disrupted cross-border movement and dismantled several ISIS-K facilitation cells in recent months.

Cooper also noted growing unease among Central Asian states. “Our partners in Central Asia are keeping a wary eye towards Afghanistan-based terrorist threats,” he said.

The evolving militant landscape in Afghanistan has raised alarms about potential spillover. Neighbouring countries continue to report incidents of cross-border militancy, with security forces intercepting fighters and smuggling routes linked to ISIS-K.

US officials have repeatedly cautioned that instability in Afghanistan could allow extremist groups, including ISIS-K and al-Qaeda affiliates, to regroup and plan attacks with wider reach. Such developments would directly impact regional stability and international security interests.

Pakistan has lost thousands of civilians and security personnel in the fight against terrorism over the past two decades. Official data shows significant sacrifices in operations that targeted both local and foreign militant elements.

The military-to-military ties between Pakistan and the United States have produced concrete outcomes. Joint intelligence efforts have led to the elimination of several high-profile targets responsible for planning attacks against American and Pakistani interests.

Regional dynamics add complexity. Taliban authorities in Kabul claim they are actively confronting ISIS-K, yet international monitors report the group maintains recruitment networks, financial channels, and operational planning cells inside Afghanistan.

ISIS-K has demonstrated reach through high-profile attacks. These include operations targeting foreign interests and regional security installations, keeping the threat level elevated across borders.

Cooper’s testimony underscores a shift in US posture. Rather than large-scale deployments, Washington focuses on enabling partners through training, equipment support, and real-time intelligence cooperation.

For Pakistan, this recognition comes at a time of heightened domestic security challenges. Pakistani forces have intensified operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan to counter resurgent militant activity.

Analysts note that sustained cooperation between Islamabad and Washington serves mutual interests. Effective counterterrorism actions reduce risks to Pakistani territory while preventing threats from reaching beyond South and Central Asia.

The UN monitoring team’s findings highlight ISIS-K’s ambition to expand operations internationally. Despite leadership losses, the group continues propaganda efforts and attempts to inspire lone-wolf attacks in the region.

Central Asian governments have expressed private concerns about potential infiltration through porous borders. Several states have strengthened border security measures in response to developments inside Afghanistan.

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