October 10, 2021
3 mins read

China putting pressure on Haqqani to extradite Uyghur militants

Chinese security experts have warned that even a small number of them will still pose a threat to China’s security….reports Mrityunjoy Kumar Jha

Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Interior Minister of Afghanistan and chief of the dreaded terror outfit Haqqani Network is still living in shadow. But according to reports, he has been meeting frequently with Chen Wenqing, the Intelligence Chief of China. According to information, the last time Sirajuddin and Wenqing met was Tuesday. The meeting took place in Sirajuddin’s undisclosed location, not the Chinese embassy. It is believed that Chen conveyed China’s frustration because the New Taliban government has not broken its ties with the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) as promised.

China had demanded that the Taliban break relations with all militant groups and take resolute action against the ETIM. But the Taliban has not fulfilled its promises so far. According to Afghan sources, the Chinese spy chief asked Sirajuddin Haqqani for extradition of prominent members of militant outfit ETIM.

Though the Taliban has repeatedly told the media that they have asked the ETIM fighters to leave Afghanistan but various intelligence reports suggest otherwise. The Chinese Ambassador in Afghanistan asked the Taliban leaders for details.

“Where have the members of the ETIM gone after leaving Afghanistan? How many of them are staying in the country? “he asked.

Chinese security experts have warned that even a small number of them will still pose a threat to China’s security.

ETIM militants are mainly located in Afghanistan’s provinces of Badakhshan, Kunduz and Takhar.

ALSO READ: China trying to impose Mandarin in Tibetan schools


“Approximately 500 fighters of the group operate in the north and north-east of Afghanistan, primarily in Raghistan and Warduj districts, Badakhshan, with financing based in Raghistan, “Li Wei, an expert on national security and anti-terrorism at the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times.

Chinese experts are apprehensive that the Chinese demand for the extradition of ETIM members would be challenging not only because of the Taliban’s consistent rejection, no matter the cost, of requests for the expulsion of militants who have helped them in their battles.

The Taliban had already made that clear two decades ago when they accepted the risk of a US invasion of Afghanistan in the wake of 9/11 by refusing for the umpteenth time to hand over al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. There is little in Taliban 2.0 that suggests that this has changed.

Furious, China has also raised the issue of ETIM on Wednesday in the UN. Referring to the US decision to remove the ETIM from its Terrorist Exclusion List in October last year, Chinese envoy in the UN, Geng Shuang blamed the US of condoning and shielding the group which is a UN-designated terror organisation.

“We call for the unity and collaboration of the international community to prevent the ETIM and other terrorist forces from festering in Afghanistan, and to prevent the country from again becoming a haven and a fountainhead of terrorist activities, “the state affiliated media China Daily quoted Geng as saying.

China was among the few countries which kept its embassy open during the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and has been regularly engaging with their leadership. As per the Global Times, the Chinese have already planned the extension of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). But with the CPEC projects in Pakistan already facing attacks by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an ally of the Taliban, leading to delays, China is wary about its investments in Afghanistan too.

Will Afghan Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, who himself is a designated terrorist with a bounty of $10 million, heed to the Chinese demand to extradite ETIM members to Beijing. Many experts don’t think so.

“It’s hard to see a wanted man turning over someone who is wanted for similar

reasons, “says an Afghan journalist.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)

ALSO READ: CIA announces new unit focusing on China

ALSO READ: Army chief talks tough ahead of India-China border talks

Previous Story

Taiwan says it is independent after Xi’s ‘reunification’ pledge

Next Story

Seductive crypto ads leave Indian investors in dilemma

Latest from -Top News

India-EU Trade Talks Resume

The proposed India-EU FTA covers 23 policy areas, or chapters, of which at least two – market access and rules of origin – have yet to be resolved….reports Asian Lite News India

India Launches Relief Ops in Bhutan

The Royal Government of Bhutan has expressed sincere gratitude to the Indian Army…reports Asian Lite News Amid unprecedented floods caused by a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, relentless rainfall has

Jaishankar Hints at Tariff Deal with US

Jaishankar explained that the ongoing trade tensions largely stem from the inability of both sides to reach a common ground on several issues….reports Asian Lite News External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on

Rajnath Singh Heads to Australia for Key Defence Talks

The visit comes at a historic moment when India and Australia commemorate five years of establishment of India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership…reports Asian Lite News Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Australia from
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Xi rejigs cabinet

Chinese President Xi Jinping signed a presidential order to appoint

China flexes dual carriers in South China Sea drills

The exercises involved the Liaoning and Shandong, China’s two active