After the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, the United States and its allies encouraged Muslims worldwide to join the Afghan Jihad. The Mujahedeen were supported by the US, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. Osama bin Laden, initially part of Maktaba al Khidmat, later formed Al-Qaeda. The 9/11 attacks changed global politics, leading to the US invasion of Afghanistan and the scattering of Taliban and Al-Qaeda members. Pakistan captured and handed over numerous Al-Qaeda members to the US but faced severe security issues and economic strain. The recent statement by Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan, calling Osama bin Laden a martyr, has sparked controversy and is seen as an insult to the innocent lives lost in the war on terror.

Pakistani journalist Anas Mallick has been released from Afghan custody after being detained in Kabul. His release was confirmed by senior journalist Tahir Khan and the Pakistani Ambassador to Afghanistan, Mansoor Ahmad Khan. Mallick, who had reported on the killing of Al Qaeda Chief Aymen Al Zawahari, went missing a day after arriving in Afghanistan. Reports suggest he was detained by Afghanistan’s security forces for not having the necessary permissions to report. The incident drew reactions from various Pakistani officials and public figures, calling for his safe return.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan rebuked the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) for its lack of progress in the Arshad Sharif murder case, citing non-cooperation from Kenyan officials. The court ordered an investigation into the leak of the fact-finding report and directed the JIT to trace the suspects responsible. The JIT admitted to finding no substantial evidence and faced criticism for not recording statements from key individuals. The court granted the JIT a month to outline its next steps and suggested hiring a lawyer in Kenya to understand legal rights. The hearing was adjourned for a month.

Faran Jeffery, a security analyst at the Islamic Theology of Counter Terrorism, explains that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has agreed to a ceasefire with Pakistan to avoid embarrassing the Afghan Taliban internationally. However, TTP has activated its B-Team, including the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group and the newly formed IMAM group, to continue attacks. Jeffery highlights the strategic ambiguity maintained by all parties and discusses potential targeted operations against militants. He emphasizes the long-term nature of the militant problem in the region and the significance of TTP commander Omar Khalid Khorasani's death.

A top ISKP commander, Hilal, along with two others, was killed in an intelligence-based operation in Peshawar. Hilal was involved in the killing of Satnam Singh and targeted killings of police officials during polio campaigns, as well as extorting businessmen. The operation was conducted near Faqirabad, Peshawar.

The article reports on the execution of Abu Omar Khorasani, the former head of the Islamic State in South Asia and the Far East, by the Afghan Taliban on August 16, following their takeover of Kabul. Khorasani was taken from a government prison and executed, with his death being seen as a signal of the Taliban's stance against IS. Senior Taliban leader Mullah Khairullah Khairkhwa labeled IS extremists as 'deviant' and denied their presence among Afghan groups. The article also discusses the geopolitical implications of the Taliban's victory, with Iran, Russia, and China expressing readiness to help establish peace in Afghanistan. Velina Tchakarova, Director at the AIES, commented on China's efforts to build relationships in Afghanistan to protect its interests in Xinjiang and its Belt and Road Initiative. The article highlights the complex regional dynamics involving China, Pakistan, Russia, and Central Asian countries in the context of the Taliban's quest for international legitimacy and the fight against terrorism.

The article discusses the historical context of the Afghan Jihad, starting with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 and the subsequent support from the United States and its allies for the Mujahedeen. It details the formation of Maktaba al Khidmat by Dr. Abdullah Azzam and Osama Bin Laden's involvement, leading to the eventual creation of Al-Qaeda. The article also covers the aftermath of the Soviet withdrawal, the rise of the Taliban, and the impact of 9/11 on global politics. It touches on Pakistan's role in capturing Al-Qaeda members and the controversial statement by Prime Minister Imran Khan referring to Osama bin Laden as a martyr, highlighting the complex legacy of the Afghan Jihad and its consequences for the region.