Islamic State spotted recruiting jihadists less than 1000 kilometres away from Delhi

Washington: The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has been reportedly recruiting jihadists in the Taliban territory in Afghanistan as the US prepares to withdraw troops and Taliban strives to maintain its influence in the region.

According to the CNN, a group of fighters in a valley not far to the south of the capital city of Kabul were caught on camera parading with their IS flags.

ISIS fighters and flags were filmed in south of Kabul, Afghanistan, a location less than 1000 kms away from New Delhi.

(Photo: Google maps)

The flags were although homemade and crude but the message was clear, "allegiance to ISIS in Afghanistan."

"We established contacts with IS through a friend who is in Helmand (in southern Afghanistan). He called us, saying: 'the IS people have come to Afghanistan -- let's join them.' Then we joined them and pledged allegiance to them,” ISIS fighter told CNN.

Watch: ISIS recruits in Taliban territory

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A US military officer said that the jihadists had "limited capability" as of now but were trying to recruit disillusioned Taliban in several areas around the country's east and south.

The news comes after several senior US military officials and experts warned that IS was making inroads into Afghanistan.

The worldview of the ISIS stretches from Africa to India and covers much of China and Europe, according to maps attributed to the jihadist force. The map purportedly shows the areas IS plans to have under its control within five years.

An IS map on the internet showing the terrorist organisations worldview

The greatest impact could be on the broader international jihadist movement, in particular on the future of Al Qaeda, which once did not allow the IS to associate with it because of its extreme methods.