He believes that the measures taken by the President of Kyrgyzstan to strengthen defense capabilities are extremely necessary in the context of the tense situation in Afghanistan.
Felix Kulov expressed his opinion on the current situation in Afghanistan and the associated threats to Central Asia on his social media.
In particular, he noted that the Minister of Defense of Pakistan, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, in his recent statement, effectively confirmed that the armed confrontation with the Taliban is an “open war.” He also reminded that Pakistan “has hosted five million Afghans for 50 years” and that “today millions of Afghans continue to earn a living in Pakistan.”
Kulov emphasized that the minister's words are not just emotional rhetoric but reflect deep processes that are already impacting the entire region.
According to Kulov, there are currently between 20,000 to 23,000 militants in Afghanistan, the majority of whom are foreign mercenaries. This indicates that the country has become an important hub for transnational extremism.
Additionally, he mentioned the activities of numerous radical groups in Afghanistan, such as the “Islamic State - Khorasan Province” (IS-K) with about 2,000 militants, “Al-Qaeda,” “Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan” (5,000 to 7,000 militants), and others.
According to estimates by UN experts, more than 20 extremist organizations operate in the country, and training camps are located in the northern provinces bordering Central Asia.
Kulov noted that among the IS-K militants, there are many foreigners, including citizens of Central Asian countries, who could be returned home to establish “sleeper cells.”
“The threat has already become practical, not theoretical. The situation on the Tajik-Afghan border has significantly worsened: if in 2024 there were 6 armed incidents recorded, in 2025 their number increased to 17. The volume of seized drugs amounted to 2.8 tons,” he added.
Kulov also reported that in January of this year, there were two serious armed clashes on the border with Tajikistan — on January 18 and 29, during which the attackers were eliminated, and modern weapons, including American-made products, were found.
Commenting on the attack on a Chinese restaurant in Kabul on January 19, 2026, for which IS-K claimed responsibility, Kulov noted that this demonstrates the use of Afghan territory as a launch pad for attacks on both neighboring countries and global players.
He also mentioned that issues related to the situation in Afghanistan were discussed at the CSTO and SCO forums.
In Kulov's opinion, under such conditions, the decisions of the President of Kyrgyzstan regarding the strengthening of defense capabilities, modernization of the armed forces, and reform of law enforcement agencies are not only relevant but also vital.
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