Saikiran Kannan
How Afghanistan has once again become a happy hunting ground for the Taliban, reads the headline of an India Today report that is pinned at the top of counterterrorism expert Faran Jeffery’s Twitter timeline. Published on June 30, the report featured some straight speaking by Jeffery, describing the state of the nation since the United States and allied troops began pulling out from Afghanistan on May 1.
So far, so good? Not really, for Jeffery has now become the hunted, missing since late last night and probably picked up by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) from Karachi.
Based out of the United Kingdom, Jeffery hails from Pakistan and is the deputy director of Islamic Theology of Counter Terrorism (ITCT).
The ITCT is an international think tank countering the narratives of Islamic terrorism and radicalisation through in-depth research and analysis. Its executive director Noor Dahri told India Today, “I believe our deputy director was abducted from his home after his interview got published on India Today. He is an expert on Afghanistan-Pakistan matters and has been quoted by several western media as well, and so, it’s not a valid reason to be abducted.”
“Faran has always disclosed and countered terror activities in South Asia, and remained a peaceful and law-abiding citizen. Therefore, we do not see any justification for Pakistan security officials to unlawfully arrest him. We want Pakistan authorities to immediately release him. This is an illegal act of abduction of a civilian who isn’t anti-state but anti-terror,” Dahri added.
Jeffery is well known in global Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) circles and specialises in reporting and analysing terror incidents and conflicts. Of late, he was covering the conflict in Afghanistan at a very microscopic level.
The reported arrest has created a lot of buzz on social media, with popular OSINT handles and journalists pouring out their thoughts.
Jeffery has often divided opinions with regards to his work and inclination. He often gets accused of being an ISI agent by social media handles from India and as a RAW/Mossad agent by those in Pakistan. It is no wonder that his bold views against radical Islam and his support for Israel’s cause have often put him under the lens of the Pakistani establishment. It is yet to be ascertained as to under what charges has he been held.
“There are no proofs or concrete reports yet that point to the reason for his arrest as of now. We will continue to monitor the situation and update accordingly,” Dahri said.
Sources have indicated to India Today that Jeffery was picked up from his Karachi residence along with his computers and mobile phones. His social media accounts continue to show “active” status, suggesting the possibility of security agencies scanning through his social media accounts and messages.
The India Today story where Jeffery was quoted has garnered much traction online. It details the advancement of an emboldened Taliban in Afghanistan, the flaws in Afghan strategy and the possible impact on India and Pakistan in the event of a complete takeover of the country by Taliban fighters.
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