ISLAMABAD, 13 September 2026 (Kamran Raja): The Washington Post has reported that Afghanistan is once again emerging as a major hub for terrorist organisations, with Al-Qaeda rebuilding training facilities and expanding its presence under the Taliban regime. According to a special report by the American newspaper, Al-Qaeda has established at least eight new training centres in Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power, while its safe havens and training camps are becoming active in different parts of the country. The report said Al-Qaeda and other militant organisations have established a foothold in at least 14 Afghan provinces, with Al-Qaeda now not only using Afghanistan as a sanctuary but also providing training and operational guidance to other groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Citing United Nations assessments, the report said Al-Qaeda members in Afghanistan are also involved in training TTP suicide bombers. It estimated that around 7,000 TTP fighters are present in Afghanistan and conducting operations against Pakistan, while the group has established camps in at least four Afghan provinces, with reported involvement of Al-Qaeda and the Taliban. The Washington Post further reported that hundreds of cross-border attacks by the TTP against Pakistani military posts and other targets have originated from Afghan soil, making Afghanistan an important centre of anti-Pakistan militancy. Alongside Al-Qaeda, ISIS-Khorasan is also expanding its network in Afghanistan and is estimated to have recruited around 2,000 fighters, with northern Afghanistan serving as a major centre for training and operations. The report warned that the presence and reorganisation of Al-Qaeda, ISIS-Khorasan and other militant groups in Afghanistan pose a renewed threat to regional and global security. It also noted that declining US intelligence capabilities have made it more difficult to monitor emerging terrorist training centres in the country. According to the report, the continued presence and activities of Al-Qaeda, TTP and ISIS-Khorasan contradict claims that Afghanistan is no longer providing a safe environment for terrorist organisations and represent a new challenge to the security gains achieved after the 9/11 attacks.