Terror Corridor? Intel Warns Of JeM, ISIS-K Threat To India As CPEC Enters Afghanistan

News18

23-05-2025

Last Updated:
Roads, railways, and logistics hubs planned as part of CPEC's Afghan integration may be used to smuggle weapons, funds, and militants into India, particularly Jammu and Kashmir
In a high-level warning flagged by intelligence agencies, CNN-News18 has learnt that the extension of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)—especially through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan—is emerging as a significant national security threat for India. The warning comes after China, Pakistan, and the Taliban-led Afghan government formally announced plans to expand CPEC into Afghanistan, following a trilateral meeting in Beijing between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Pakistan's Ishaq Dar, and Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
Sources say that terror outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K) are expected to take advantage of new locations created under this expansion. Roads, railways, and logistics hubs planned as part of CPEC's Afghan integration may be used to smuggle weapons, funds, and militants into India, particularly Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials are deeply concerned that the Taliban's control in Afghanistan, combined with their links to Pakistan-based groups, could allow JeM and LeT to operate more freely from Afghan territory—using BRI projects as a façade. This logistical cover could severely undermine India's counter-terror capabilities.
While China's stated goal in BRI is economic expansion, there is a strong possibility that Beijing may eventually tolerate the presence and activities of anti-India groups like JeM and LeT in these regions. This tacit allowance could embolden such groups and enable attacks on Indian soil.
Another red flag is Pakistan's growing influence in Afghanistan through CPEC. This, sources say, may widen intelligence-sharing gaps and enable the Taliban to overlook anti-India militant activities. Intelligence officials have also noted that Kandhari factions within the Taliban are particularly sympathetic to jihadi ideologies. Their involvement in BRI-linked zones could allow militant groups to embed themselves under the guise of economic development—turning these areas into recruitment and planning hubs.
The increased traffic and connectivity along new CPEC routes could further provide ISIS-K with a corridor to launch attacks on Indian assets and infrastructure in the region. This would heighten regional instability and directly impact Indian security interests.
BRI projects typically prioritise Chinese labour and technology while sidelining local populations. This discontent will be used by ISIS-K to fuel anti-India rhetoric, recruit militants, and increase regional instability.
Similar to how Baloch insurgents have targeted CPEC projects in Pakistan, the infrastructure in Afghanistan is expected to face sabotage as well. This instability could create further openings for ISIS-K to destabilise the region and infiltrate India.
What Is CPEC?
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is the flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which was introduced in May 2013 during Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Pakistan. The CPEC started in April 2015 when Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif signed 51 agreements and memoranda of understanding.
The project initially required an investment of US$ 46 billion, which rapidly increased to US$ 62 billion in pledges or around 20% of Pakistan's GDP.
The economic corridor was commended for its design, plugging Pakistan's infrastructure gaps, establishing industrial zones, and creating trade routes to China through the Gwadar Port, strategically located on the Arabian Sea.