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News18
15-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
From Kabul to Kashmir: How Amrullah Saleh, The Panjshir Hero With 'Nine Lives', Is Taking On Pakistan
Last Updated: Saleh's fierce opposition to the Taliban and Pakistan's interference in Afghanistan has made him a key figure in the region's complex geopolitics Amrullah Saleh, the former vice-president of Afghanistan, has been one of the strongest voices in India's support since Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 Indian tourists in J&K's Pahalgam on April 22. His backing of India following Operation Sindoor aligns with his longstanding views — he has been a steadfast critic of the Taliban, which overran and took control of Afghanistan in 2021, and Pakistan's meddling in Afghan affairs, including Islamabad's support to the Taliban. Saleh's long-stated advocacy for India's role in countering terrorism and his criticism of Pakistan's policies provide a broader geopolitical context to the current situation. Who Is Amrullah Saleh? Saleh, who has served as Afghanistan's spy chief and interior minister, became the country's first vice-president in 2020, under president Ashraf Ghani. His tenure, however, was short-lived as the Taliban seized rapid and decisive control of Afghanistan by force on August 15, 2021, following the withdrawal of US troops. While president Ghani was forced to flee the country, Saleh stayed back and relocated to the Panjshir Valley, a historical bastion of anti-Taliban resistance. He declared himself the 'caretaker president' citing the Afghan constitution and formed the National Resistance Front (NRF) with Ahmad Massoud to oppose Taliban rule. His claim to presidency, however, lacks global recognition. Despite the resistance, the Taliban captured Panjshir in early September 2021. As per reports, Saleh had to flee to Tajikistan (he is an ethnic Tajik), but continues to support the NRF in exile. Throughout his career as a spy chief and a politician, Saleh has survived so many assassination attempts that in global circles he is known as having 'nine lives". Amrullah Saleh remains a crucial figure in the Indian subcontinent's geopolitics due to his unwavering opposition to the Taliban and his consistent criticism of Pakistan's involvement in fostering cross-border terrorism. As a former Afghan intelligence chief and vice president, Saleh has deep insight into regional security dynamics, militancy, and political influence. His close ties with India, rooted in years of strategic cooperation during the anti-Taliban resistance, position him as a natural ally to New Delhi in its regional security calculus. In exile, his voice continues to resonate in international circles advocating for democratic resilience in Afghanistan and pushing back against Pakistan's military-intelligence complex. With the intensifying India-Pakistan rivalry, Saleh's support for India following Operation Sindoor reinforces his role as a symbolic yet strategically significant player in South Asia's evolving geopolitical landscape. His background and leadership in the anti-Taliban resistance have made him a key figure in the ongoing power struggle within Afghanistan, a nation strategically vital to both India and Pakistan. Saleh's views and actions have the potential to influence regional stability, particularly regarding cross-border terrorism, the Afghan refugee crisis, and the broader dynamics between India, Pakistan, and Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Saleh's Opposition To Pakistan Saleh has consistently accused Pakistan, particularly its Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), of supporting the Taliban and destabilizing Afghanistan. He has stated that Pakistan seeks to exert control over Afghanistan through its proxy, the Taliban. In a 2010 briefing to then US president Barack Obama, Saleh had emphasised that 'the Pakistanis believe the West has lost" in Afghanistan and are exploiting divisions among Western allies. He has also criticized Pakistan's role in harbouring terrorist leaders, including Osama bin Laden, and has urged the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for its actions in the region. Given his staunch opposition to Pakistan, Saleh's support for India in the context of Operation Sindoor aligns with his historical stance. His backing bolsters India's position in the region and highlights the shared concerns of both nations regarding terrorism and regional stability. Saleh's Support For India Saleh was among the first regional leaders to condemn the Pahalgam terror attack and link it to Pakistan. 'It appears that the neighboring GHQ, seeking publicity and media attention, resorted to the worst way to get it," he had said on April 23, the day after the attack. — Amrullah Saleh (@AmrullahSaleh2) April 23, 2025 In the days that followed, Saleh called out Pakistan's long-standing support to terrorism in the region, also highlighting its defence minister Khawaja Asif's admission of the same before global media. "We were contractors for dirty jobs," says Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister of Defense of the Islamic Republic of question: Has the contract been extended with a new customer, or have you renewed it with the previous one? We see no clear evidence of its termination. — Amrullah Saleh (@AmrullahSaleh2) April 26, 2025 In a pointed comparison between India's Operation Sindoor and Pakistan's Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos, Saleh highlighted several strategic firsts in India's approach. He said India has showed newfound confidence and sovereignty, 'bypassing" the UN Security Council, treating terrorist actors and their state sponsors—particularly within Pakistan—as a single entity. He also pointed out that Pakistan had to seen IMF assistance amid the tensions, underscoring its inability to sustain prolonged conflict. Operation Sindoor vs. Operation Bunyan Ul MarsoosSome of the firsts One : Realizing the stalemated status or irrelevance of the UNSC, India didn't seek to request sympathy from the five of the 1945. Operation Sindoor clearly demonstrated a strong sense of self-confidence and… — Amrullah Saleh (@AmrullahSaleh2) May 10, 2025 top videos View all In his latest post, Saleh said the April 22 attack tested India's restraint, provoking a robust response that shattered the illusion of Pakistan's military invulnerability, including strikes near Rawalpindi. He added that India's religious scholars issued their own fatwa, breaking Pakistan's monopoly on Islamic religious narratives. In contrast, Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos, Saleh said, appeared largely performative, with no visible impact, and the ceasefire seemed to prevent further escalation on Pakistan's side. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Afghanistan Amrullah Saleh ISI Operation Sindoor pakistan Taliban Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 15, 2025, 11:03 IST News india From Kabul to Kashmir: How Amrullah Saleh, The Panjshir Hero With 'Nine Lives', Is Taking On Pakistan
The Independent
14-03-2025
- The Independent
Two men arrested after anti-Taliban Afghan activist attacked inside Home Office hotel
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of assaulting an anti-Taliban activist inside a Home Office asylum hotel. Natiq Malikzada, 29, an Afghan national who is a campaigner against Islamic extremism, says he was attacked in the late evening of 13 February in his hotel room by two men. Mr Malikzada came to the UK in September 2023 on a study visa after he won a place on a prestigious Foreign Office scholarship programme. After the end of his course in October 2024, he claimed asylum in the UK and was housed in Potters International Hotel in Aldershot, Hampshire for over two months. Mr Malikzada said that after arriving at the hotel he had argued with pro-Taliban asylum seekers living there about women's rights and a campaign he was supporting to boycott the Afghan cricket team. He said he had been shocked to find that a number of other Afghan asylum seekers living at the hotel openly supported the Taliban. He said he told hotel staff: 'I escaped these people and now I'm housed with them.' Around ten days before the alleged attack, he said he had received a grant of asylum and was starting to apply for jobs. On the evening of 13 February, he had been chatting with a friend in the hotel and when he came back to his own room, he was reportedly set-upon by two men. Police were called at 10:55pm on 13 February to a report of an assault at the hotel, which has previously been a target for anti-migrant violence during the summer riots. In a statement, Hampshire police said: 'It was reported that a man in his 20s had been assaulted and had suffered lacerations to his hand, chest and neck. He was taken to hospital to receive treatment for non-life threatening injuries. 'At this time, it is believed this was an isolated incident and there is no wider risk to the public. 'As part of our enquiries, two men aged 25 and 29, from Aldershot, have been arrested on suspicion of wounding/ inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent. 'They have been bailed to locations out of county with conditions, pending further enquiries.' Mr Malikzada was in hospital for one night and then had to go to adifferent hospital for surgery on his hand. Mr Malikzada is an outspoken critic of the Taliban on social media and had campaigned for England to boycott their cricket match against Afghanistan in February. Chief Inspector Gillian Cox, District Commander for Hart and Rushmoor, said: 'I fully understand the concern that this incident will cause within the local community. 'However, I would like to reassure you that at this time, it is being treated as an isolated incident, with no links to any previous incidents in the town centre or at the hotel and there is no perceived threat to the wider community. 'We will keep you all updated on the latest with our investigation as and when we are able to and would kindly ask people to not speculate while our enquiries continue.'
Arab News
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Vienna Process offers a genuine alternative to the Taliban
This week, more than 100 Afghans from different ethnic and minority groups gathered in Vienna, Austria, for the fifth meeting of the Vienna Process for a Democratic Afghanistan. Over the past two years, the Vienna Process has emerged as the primary forum for anti-Taliban resistance movements to coordinate, strategize, and chart a common path forward. While the international community has struggled to formulate a coherent approach to Afghanistan, this growing coalition of opposition groups has steadily built a framework for an alternative future. The Vienna Process has grown in both scope and influence since its inception in September 2022, one year after the Taliban's return to power. The first round brought together over 30 participants from various Afghan minority and ethnic groups, who issued a joint statement rejecting Taliban rule as unacceptable. Perhaps the most significant outcome was the emergence of Ahmad Massoud, the son of famed anti-Taliban commander Ahmad Shah Massoud, as the de facto leader of the resistance. By April 2023, the second round had expanded to include a broader range of activists, representing diverse ethnic, religious, and political backgrounds. While Massoud and the National Resistance Front remained central, the Ankara Coalition, Hazara, and Uzbek representatives played key roles. Notably, nearly half of the participants were women. This time, they took a bolder step, agreeing to support all forms of resistance against the Taliban, including armed struggle. The third round in December 2023 saw even greater participation, with over 50 representatives from anti-Taliban groups. For the first time, Abdul Rashid Dostum, an Uzbek commander and longtime Afghan powerbroker, sent a personal envoy. The presence of international observers from the US and Europe signaled a growing recognition of the resistance movement. By June 2024, the fourth round had grown to 70 participants, including influential figures such as former Afghan Vice President Yunus Qanuni; Hazara leader Mohammad Mohaqiq; and Anarkali Honaryar, an Afghan Sikh. Women's rights activist Parwana Ibrahimkhel, who had been imprisoned by the Taliban in 2022, also joined. To develop a roadmap for Afghanistan's future, participants broke into working groups focused on politics, foreign policy, human rights, and economics. Afghanistan faces an acute humanitarian crisis that worsens each year Luke Coffey This week's fifth round was even larger and included almost 100 attendees. For the first time, there was a session giving international observers from the US and Europe an opportunity to speak and engage. In addition to Ahmad Massoud, other notable attendees included Yasin Zia, leader of the Afghanistan Freedom Front; and Rangin Dadfar Spanta, the country's former national security adviser. The biggest outcome of this meeting was the agreement to a roadmap that various working groups had been drafting since the last meeting in June. This program is the opposition's attempt at showing that there is an alternative to the current Taliban rule. All aspects of Afghanistan's future and society are covered to include future economic development, security, diplomatic relations, and human rights, with a special emphasis on women's rights. A special commission of 19 members representing all walks of Afghan society was also formed. This commission will work together and coordinate a response to implement the roadmap. At the heart of the Vienna Process is Massoud. Since fleeing to his ancestral homeland in the Panjshir Valley, north of Kabul, Massoud has pursued a dual-track approach to countering the Taliban. Militarily, the NRF is active in many provinces across Afghanistan, primarily in the north, using guerrilla warfare tactics to target Taliban forces. Last year alone, the NRF launched dozens of attacks, making it a persistent security challenge for the Taliban. Diplomatically, Massoud has led an international effort to raise awareness of the resistance and build alliances. This is one of the main reasons the Vienna Process has gained momentum. The Vienna Process offers a rare good news story about Afghanistan. Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, they have shown little ability to govern effectively. The country faces an acute humanitarian crisis that worsens each year, and the economic situation remains dire as questions arise over the sustainability of international aid. Meanwhile, human rights conditions continue to deteriorate, with ethnic minorities persecuted, girls banned from schools, and women forced out of many workplaces. Yet, the NRF and other Vienna Process participants demonstrate that an alternative future is possible. The situation today mirrors the 1990s when the Northern Alliance controlled only 10 percent of Afghanistan, yet refused to surrender to the Taliban. Likewise, the NRF and other resistance groups must continue their fight and ensure that the world does not forget them. The NRF and other resistance groups must ensure the world does not forget them Luke Coffey The Taliban itself is deeply divided, with competing factions vying for power. These internal fractures could create opportunities for the anti-Taliban resistance to establish safe zones and reclaim territory. The international community would be wise to engage more seriously with the Vienna Process. While a few international observers attended this week's meeting, no senior government officials participated. At the next Vienna Process gathering, representatives such as the US special envoy for Afghanistan and counterparts from other nations should attend — even if only as observers. It makes little sense that much of the international community engages with the Taliban as the de facto rulers of Afghanistan, while failing to establish meaningful dialogue with resistance movements such as the NRF and others in the Vienna Process. With each round, the Vienna Process has become more inclusive and strategic, positioning itself as the most significant platform for Afghanistan's anti-Taliban resistance. Global policymakers should take note. — Luke Coffey is a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. X: @LukeDCoffey
