Taliban dub Pakistan, Tajikistan launchpad of ISIS-K, warn more Moscow-like attacks

As Russia suspects Ukraine's hand in the deadly terror attacks that killed more than 150 people despite the Islamic State's affiliate, the Islamic State Khorasan Province, owning the assaults, Taliban mouthpiece Al-Mirsad English has alleged that the terror group has been imparting training to its fighters in Pakistan's Balochistan province.

The report quoting sources said that more brutal terror attacks akin to Moscow might happen across the world in the near future if the world governments fail to address the issue.

"Sources suggest that Balochistan currently serves as a significant stronghold for the Khorasan branch of ISIS, housing hideouts, training facilities and bomb-making workshops. Furthermore. it has been disclosed that the leader of the Khorasan branch ---Shihab Al-Muhajir ---and his close associates are residing in Balochistan province, orchestrating attacks not only in Afghanistan but also globally," Hindustan Times quoted the publication as saying.

It dubbed Balochistan as ‘one of the main hubs of ISIS Khorasan branch’ and highlighted the ISIS-K threat emerging from neighbouring Tajikistan.

Notably, Russian media, including Telegram channels with links to the security services, and a lawmaker have alleged that the four suspected assailants were Tajiks.

Lawmaker Alexander Khinshtein said a pistol, a magazine for an assault rifle, and passports from Tajikistan were found in their getaway car.

On Saturday, Tajikistan's foreign ministry said reports that its citizens were involved were "fake".

The interior ministry also said two of those initially named in Russian media were in Tajikistan at the time of the attack.

Putin said on Saturday that 11 people had been arrested over the attack, including the four suspected gunmen, who it said were trying to flee to Ukraine.

IS has said it was behind the attack on multiple occasions since Friday, though Russian officials have not publicly addressed the claims of responsibility.