MOSCOW. Sept 24 (Interfax) - Some 4,000 militants of the Islamic State (ISIL) terrorist organization, which is banned in Russia, operate in Afghanistan, Chief of the Joint Staff of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Col. Gen. Anatoly Sidorov said.
"Its leaders regard Afghanistan as a base for the subsequent spread of their influence to countries in Central and South Asia. The confrontation with the Taliban movement (banned in Russia) does not allow them to considerably expand the territories they control. The total number of Islamic State militants there is around 4, 000," Sidorov said at a Tuesday press conference.
He said militants are especially active in the east and north of the country.
The general said that terrorist groups are trying to spread their influence to countries bordering Afghanistan - Turkmenistan and Tajikistan.
"According to expert estimates, secret cells uniting some 400 people who maintain ties with Afghan terrorist entities already operate in their territories," Sidorov said. He said these groups are accumulating weapons, choosing places for terror attacks, recruiting new members, and expanding their network.