Afghanistan Content Report
September 28–October 18, 2024
Please note all items in this issue concern ISIS-K
Table of contents
- ISIS Al-Naba Newsletters
- Pro-ISIS Online Chatter
- ISIS Amaq/Nashir Statements
- Amaq Video Released October 5, 2024
Main points (Pro-ISIS online chatter)
Afghanistan
- A Taliban commander, Naik Mohammad Turabi, was killed in Paktika (September 30).
- The Taliban wants friendly relations with Iran and Russia.
- The Taliban minister of mines and petroleum, Hidayatullah Badri, met with his Russian counterpart in Moscow (October 1).
- Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with regional envoys at the “Moscow Format.” While there, he attempted to portray ISIS-K as a non-Afghan problem, claimed that the Taliban has continued to fight against ISIS-K, and called on regional states to halt ISIS recruitment.
- Muttaqi noted the importance of Russia holding the forum to improve relations among states in the region.
- Russia removed the Taliban from their list of terrorist organizations.
- A Taliban vehicle was attacked with explosives in Taleqan (October 5).
- A Taliban vehicle was attacked in Kunar (October 5).
- Abdul Hamid Khorasani, after being released from Taliban custody, has praised Iran.
- Unidentified gunmen attacked a Taliban unit headquarters in Badghis (October 11).
- Three Taliban soldiers were killed in Ghor (October 12).
- Iranian border guards killed approximately 250 Afghans in the Saravan-Kalgan border region.
- Unidentified militants killed the Taliban intelligence chief for Badbakh district in Laghman province (October 16).
Pakistan
- Seven people were killed by unidentified gunmen in Panjgur, Baluchistan (September 28).
- Three police officers were injured by an explosive device in Bajaur (September 29).
- Three police officers were killed in Bannu (October 14).
- Chinese nationals were killed by an explosion near the Karachi International Airport (October 6).
- The Pashtun Jirga, held in Pakhtunkhwa, released a list of their decisions.
1. ISIS Al-Naba Newsletters
Edition 463, Published October 3, 2024
- “Three Pakistani police killed and wounded in attack by Caliphate soldiers in Bajaur border.”
“Three members of the apostate Pakistani police were killed or wounded in an attack by the soldiers of the Caliphate this week in the border region of Bajaur. In the details, with the grace of God Almighty, the soldiers of the Caliphate targeted, on Thursday (23 Rabi` al-Awwal), members of the apostate Pakistani police in the village of Sheikh in the Khar region of Bajaur with pistol shots, which led to the death of one member and the injury of two others, praise be to God.”
Edition 464, Published October 10, 2024
- “A Taliban militia vehicle was destroyed, and its occupants were killed and injured in an explosion by the Caliphate’s soldiers in Kunar.”
“The soldiers of the Caliphate in Khorasan Province destroyed a Taliban militia vehicle and killed and wounded those inside in an explosion in the Kunar region of Afghanistan. In the details, with the grace of God Almighty, the soldiers of the Caliphate detonated an explosive device on Friday (1/Rabi’ al-Akhir) on an apostate Taliban militia vehicle in the Dewagal region of Kunar, which led to its destruction and the killing and wounding of those inside, praise be to God. The Amaq Agency published a video showing the moment of the explosion and the vehicle’s destruction.”
“The soldiers of the Caliphate in Khorasan Province killed and wounded three members of the apostate Pakistani police in an armed attack last week in the Bajaur border region.”
Edition 465, Published October 17, 2024
- “Soldiers of the Caliphate kill three Taliban militia members and a Pakistani intelligence officer in Khorasan Province.”
“This week, the soldiers of the Caliphate killed three members of the apostate Taliban militia and wounded a fourth in an armed ambush in the Ghor region in central Afghanistan. They also assassinated a member of Pakistani intelligence in the Bajaur border region of Khorasan Province.”
- “Assassination of a Pakistani Intelligence Officer.”
“In the details, with the grace of Allah Almighty, the soldiers of the Caliphate targeted on Friday (8 Rabi` al-Akhir) a Pakistani Intelligence officer in the Kohati roundabout in the Mamund area of Bajaur with pistol shots, which led to his death.
“A special source told Al-Naba that the slain officer had led to the capture and killing of several Muslims over the past years. The source added that the Mujahideen had previously targeted this apostate by detonating an explosive device [which injured him and cost him one of his eyes]. The Mujahideen continued to watch him until they killed him in this operation, praise be to God.”
- “A rifle seized by the Mujahideen in an ambush on Taliban elements in the Gulmani area of Ghor.”
- “Three Taliban Militia Killed.”
“In another operation, the soldiers of the Caliphate set up an armed ambush on Saturday (9 Rabi` al-Akhir) for elements of the apostate Taliban militia who were riding motorcycles on a road in the Shah Tigh Mountain in the Gholmin area in Ghor in central Afghanistan. When the militia elements arrived at the ambush area, the Mujahideen opened fire on them with their machine guns, which resulted in the killing of three elements, the wounding of a fourth, and the seizure of a rifle, praise be to God. Local media published pictures of those killed in the ambush.”
“Last week, the soldiers of the Caliphate in Khorasan Province destroyed a Taliban militia vehicle and killed and wounded those inside in an explosion in Kunar, Afghanistan.”
2. Pro-ISIS Online Chatter
- September 28: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that unidentified gunmen killed seven people in a home in Panjgur, Balochistan. The post noted that the seven murdered people were likely Shiites.
“#Urgent. Armed men storm a house in the Panjgur area of Balochistan, Pakistan, and kill seven members of the household. It is expected that the dead are Shiite settlers.”
- September 29: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram criticizing Taliban envoys for celebrating “Saudi National Day” with their counterparts at the Saudi embassy in Tehran.
“#Monitoring. Representatives of the Taliban militia in Tehran celebrate inside the Saudi embassy in Iran on the occasion of the so-called ‘Saudi National Day,’ which exceeded the celebration of all legitimate holidays.”
- September 29: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that an explosive device in Bajaur, Pakistan, injured three police officers.
“#Pakistan. Three Pakistani police officers were injured when an explosive device detonated, targeting them in Bajaur.”
- September 29: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the murdered body of the son of a Pakistani police officer was found in Dera Ismail Khan.
“#Urgent. The body of the son of a Pakistani police officer was found murdered in the Dera Ismail Khan area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”
- September 30: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that unidentified militants killed a Taliban commander, Naik Mohammad Turabi, in Paktika. The post noted that Turabi was affiliated with the Haqqani wing of the Taliban.
“#Urgent. Militants assassinate a Taliban militia commander, Naik Mohammad Turabi, in Noorabad area of Paktika, Afghanistan.
“Afghan sources: A reliable source said that the former leader of the Haqqani militia and current Taliban member, Naik Mohammad Turabi, was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Noorabad village in the Barmal district of Paktika province.
“According to the source, unknown gunmen came to the guest house of the deceased Taliban militia commander last night and shot him from the window.
“According to sources, his body was transferred to Waziristan via Angoor [Ada] base today, where he will be buried.”
- September 30: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram consisting of a video that claims to show a fight between a Taliban soldier and a civilian in Mazar-i-Sharif.
“#Monitoring. A few moments ago: A fight between a Taliban militia member and a civilian in the Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif.”
- September 30: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram criticizing the Taliban for expressing condolences following the killing of Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah.
“#Entertainment. The Taliban militia expresses its condolences for the death of Hassan Nasr al-Shaytan ‘implicitly,’ and if it did not know what would happen to it popularly [sic], we would have seen it express its condolences for his death and describe him as a Sufi.”
- October 1: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that unidentified gunmen killed the head of a village council in Manjiwala, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“#Pakistan. An attack targeted Sadullah, the head of the Manjiwala village council, in the Lakki Marwat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, which led to his death.”
- October 1: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the Taliban minister of mines and petroleum, Hidayatullah Badri, met with his Russian counterparts in that country, who agreed to help Afghanistan.
“Taliban Minister of [Mines and] Petroleum Maulvi Hidayatullah Badri has met with various companies and government officials in Russia. According to the Taliban, the Russian Ministry of Energy has promised to help them.”
- October 1: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram criticizing Qari Saeed Khosty for celebrating Iran’s missile attack on Israel. The post describes the attack as “Iranian plastic missiles that did not injure a single person.”
Text: “God is great, God is great. O God, guide the aim and eradicate the Jews.”
“Afghan Taliban militia leader Qari Saeed Khosty cheers with joy over Iranian plastic missiles that did not injure a single person.
“Some of them are guardians of each other.
“When we told you a few days ago that they wanted to offer condolences for the devil’s victory but they were afraid of the reactions [sic].
“We did not lie to you.”
- October 2: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram criticizing the Taliban for condemning Israeli military operations in Lebanon, Yemen, and Syria, and offering condolences following the killing of Hassan Nasrallah, but not condemning attacks in Idlib. The post infers that the Taliban will condemn Israel but not Iran or Russia.
“#Urgent. The long-awaited statement has arrived. The Afghan Taliban militia condemns the Israeli attacks in Lebanon, Yemen, and Syria against Shiite settlers.
“The militia wants to offer condolences for the death of Hassan Nasr al-Shaytan, but you know what you will receive [sic].
“I wonder why we have not seen a statement from the militia condemning the bombing of civilians in Idlib?”
- October 2: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating the Taliban consul general in Karachi visited his Iranian counterpart and signed a book offering condolences for the killing of Hassan Nasrallah and Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan.
“#Follow-ups. The long-awaited statement has arrived. Abdul Jabar Takhari, the consul general of the Taliban militia in Karachi, visits the Iranian consulate general in Karachi and signs the condolence book for the leader of the Shia party, ‘Hassan Nasr Shia,’ and the general of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Abbas Nilforoushan, who were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon.
“A copy of it to Al-Qandari.
“A copy of it to the followers of al-Nakith.
“A copy of it to Dhal Zidane.
“A copy of it to the followers of al-Qaeda.
“The rest of the pictures are here.”
- October 4: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the TTP, through their newspaper, has asked for the support of the people of Pakhtunkhwa against the Pakistani army. The post noted that mineral resources in the region will ensure prosperity but warned that the Pakistani military may try to loot them.
“The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has once again appealed to the people of Pakhtunkhwa to support them against the army in its newspaper Manzil.
“The article says that the members of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan are your sons and are fighting hard to get rid of you from the army [sic].
“The TTP has said there are so many mineral resources in Pakhtunkhwa that the people here may be prosperous, provided the army does not loot here.
“The editorial criticizes the formation of Lashkar [tribal militias] in Swat, saying that such Lashkars later take the form of criminal gangs.”
- October 4: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that during the “Moscow Format” to discuss Afghanistan and the region, Taliban Foreign Minister Muttaqi thanked Russia for allowing the Taliban to improve relations with their neighbors and stated that they had enhanced regional security in the last three years by fighting against ISIS. The post noted that Muttaqi called on regional states to stop ISIS recruitment, claimed that most ISIS attacks in Afghanistan “involved foreign militants,” and asserted that there were no terrorist groups in Afghanistan that posed a threat to the region.
“We want to work together with countries in the region against the Islamic State (ISIS): Taliban.
“Taliban Foreign Minister Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi had said while addressing the Russian ‘Moscow Format’ conference that ‘we are grateful to Russia for giving us the opportunity in the Moscow conference and also for the fact that we were given the opportunity in this conference when the situation was were not favorable, but Russia allowed us to increase relations with other countries through this conference.’
“Talking about his three-year performance, Muttaqi said ‘our main focus was on security, and in three years, we saved other countries in the region from these threats by carrying out continuous operations against the Islamic State (ISIS).
“Muttaqi said that Islamic State is recruiting from various countries in the region, and regional states should take effective measures to stop recruitment. Most of the attacks by Islamic State in Afghanistan involved foreign militants.
“Amir Khan Muttaqi said that he is ready to play his role to save the region from terrorism, and the result of his continuous efforts is that today there is no such group in Afghanistan that poses a threat to the countries of the region.”
- October 4: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram regarding Muttaqi’s concern over ISIS-K training centers outside of Afghanistan.
Text: “The Taliban’s acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, said that the movement’s intelligence shows that ISIS has recently established training centers outside Afghanistan. Speaking at the sixth meeting of the ‘Moscow Format’ in the Russian capital on Friday, Muttaqi said that this is a cause for concern for the Taliban.”
“#Follow-ups. The acting leader of the Taliban militia expresses his fears and concerns about the terrorist camps.”
- October 4: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the Taliban delegation at the “Moscow Format” wanted to claim that ISIS-K was eliminated in Afghanistan and only continued to exist in Pakistan. The post noted that the head of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) stated that the perpetrators of the Crocus attack had fought in Afghanistan and planned the attack from there.
“#Entertainment. The Taliban militia delegation present in Russia wanted to lie and told the Russians, ‘We were able to eliminate the terrorists in Afghanistan, and they are only present in Pakistan.’
“The Director of the Russian Federal Security Service, Alexander Bortnikov, responded to them: ‘The recruits for the perpetrators of the Crocus attack in Moscow were fighting in Afghanistan and planned the attack from your country :)’”
- October 5: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that a Taliban vehicle was attacked with explosives in Taleqan, resulting in three people suffering injuries.
“#Urgent. An explosive device exploded targeting a Taliban military vehicle in front of Abdul Wadood School in the Taleqan area, the center of the Afghan city of Takhar, wounding three members.”
- October 5: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram mocking Muttaqi for claiming that ISIS-K has been defeated in Afghanistan.
Text: “The acting foreign minister of the Taliban movement, Amir Khan Muttaqi, claimed once again that the branch of the Islamic State in Khorasan has been suppressed in Afghanistan and that the organization is no longer able to pose a threat.”
“How many times have we told you to stop making these statements?”
- October 5: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that ISIS attacked a Taliban vehicle in Kunar, killing and injuring an unknown number of the vehicle’s occupants.
“#Urgent. Terrorists target a Taliban militia vehicle in the Afghan province of Kunar, destroying the vehicle and killing and wounding those on board.”
- October 5: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that Russia has removed the Taliban from their list of terrorist organizations. The post noted that “the Taliban is now Russia’s ally in the war on terrorism” and that Russia will “strengthen ties” with Taliban security forces.
“#Urgent. Russia has removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations.
“The Taliban is now Russia’s ally in the war on terrorism, and the Russian government says it is interested in strengthening ties with Afghan security structures in the future.”
- October 6: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that the Taliban members attacked in Kunar were “attending a wedding in the area” and that one soldier was killed and five were wounded.
“#Update. Local sources: The Taliban militia members in the vehicle were attending a wedding in the area, and the ‘explosion resulted in the death of one militia member and the injury of five others.’”
- October 6: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram noting that Chinese and other foreign individuals were killed in an explosion near Karachi International Airport.
“#Urgent. An explosion near Karachi International Airport in Pakistan leaves dead and wounded, including people of Chinese nationality and other nationalities.”
- October 7: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the Chinese embassy announced the deaths of several Chinese nationals in the Karachi airport bombing.
“#Update. The Chinese embassy announces the death of several Chinese in the Karachi airport bombing.”
- October 8: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that Abdul Hamid Khorasani, after being imprisoned for anti-Shiite and anti-Iranian statements (please see Afghanistan Content Report 123), has reconsidered, and is now praising Iran.
“Taliban militia leader Abdul Hamid Khorasani, who was in prison for his bad attitude towards Iran, has reconsidered his stance towards the Taliban sponsors in Tehran by issuing a new statement.
“This time, Khorasani does not call Iranians ‘rejectionists’ as he did last time, but thanks Khamenei and ‘Iranian heroes’ for supporting ‘the Muslims of Palestine in the fight against the Zionists.’
“The incident has once again made it clear to many people that one cannot speak badly about ‘Shiites and Iranians’ under the American Taliban government.”
- October 8: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that the Taliban warned the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam that ISIS-K is planning to kill their leadership.
“#Follow-ups. The Afghan Taliban militia sends a warning to the Pakistani Democratic Islamic Scholars Party [Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam] that the terrorists have plans to eliminate the leaders of the Democratic Party.
“Democracy and Emirate = Hit them with a blender, and they become fresh American juice.”
- October 11: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that an alleged Pakistani intelligence officer was killed in Mamund, Bajaur. ISIS claimed this attack the same day.
“#Urgent. Gunmen killed a Pakistani intelligence officer in the Mamund area.”
- October 11: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that unidentified gunmen attacked a Taliban unit headquarters in Badghis using hand grenades and then escaped. The post stated that this was the third attack within a month.
“#Urgent. Local sources in Badghis: Gunmen attack the headquarters of the Third Brigade of the Taliban militia with hand grenades and then withdraw to an unknown location. It is worth noting that the attack is the third in a month.”
- October 12: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that Abdul Rauf Mohtaj, the former chief of staff for the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense, was killed in Khair Khana, Kabul. Mohtaj was reportedly run over by a Taliban vehicle. Please see: https://www.afintl.com/en/202410126639.
“#Follow-ups. Armed men attacked the chief of staff of the former Afghan government’s Ministry of Defense, Abdul Rauf Mohtaj, in the city of Khair Khana, leading to his immediate death.”
- October 12: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that unidentified gunmen attacked and killed “members of the Shiite Zainabiyoun militia” in Parachinar, Pakistan.
“#Urgent. Gunmen ambushed a bus carrying members of the Shiite Zainabiyoun militia in the Pakistani city of Parachinar, killing 11 members, including leaders.”
- October 12: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that three Taliban soldiers were ambushed and killed while “returning home from a vacation in the Shah Tigh area of” Ghor.
“#Urgent. An armed ambush targeted three Taliban militia members while they were returning home from a vacation in the Shah Tigh area of the Afghan province of Ghor, which led to their immediate death.”
- October 12: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram noting that the Ghor attack occurred one month after the murder of 14 Hazara Shiites by ISIS in the province. The post said that the most recent attack shows that the Taliban “was unable to protect itself [or] protect others.”
“#Observers. The Ghor operation came a few days [sic] after terrorists attacked a Shiite gathering returning from Karbala in the same city, where the Taliban militia pledged to the international community that it would do everything in its power to protect the Shiites in the city. After that, today's operation took place, and it seems that the militia was unable to protect itself [or] protect others.”
- October 12: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that there was an explosion near the Russian embassy in Kabul.
“#Urgent. An explosion rocks the sixth district near the Russian embassy in the Afghan capital, Kabul.”
- October 13: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram regarding the decisions made by the Pashtun Jirga in Pakhtunkhwa, including giving the Pakistani military and non-state armed groups two months to leave the region. Please see: https://tolonews.com/world/regional-191175.
“Breaking. The ongoing Pashtun Jirga in the Khyber region of Pakhtunkhwa announced its decision, and an 80-member committee was formed to implement it.
“Millions of people were involved in the committee, and Jirga took an oath on the Quran to enforce the decisions.
“Decisions of Jirga:
“-The army and all armed organizations have two months to leave our area. If they do not leave the area within two months, the Jirga will decide what action to take against them.
“-The data of the resources on this Pashtun land will be collected, and the Jirga will take custody of those resources.
“-The Jirga decided that a team of advocates would be formed for the families of martyrs, recovery of missing persons, and against land grabbers, and this will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
“-The Jirga decided that electricity would be free in tribal areas and only Rs 5 per unit in other areas, and if load shedding is not stopped, the Jirga will cut the connection to the rest of the provinces.
“-The Jirga also decided that all trade routes on the Durand Line would be restored as per the old laws, and if it is not restored and freedom of movement is not restored as before 2010, the Jirga will forcefully close all customs offices.
“-The Jirga decided that a committee would be set up to settle all inter-tribal disputes.
“-The Jirga decided that after today, no Pashtun will pay extortion to anyone, and if the army or any organization demands extortion from anyone, then the Jirga and the entire nation will stand with it.
“-Jirga decided that all IDPs would be returned through Jirga. The people who are not allowed to enter the area should tell the Jirga the date, and the Jirga will bring them to the area under its supervision on that day.
“-The Jirga decided that the Jirga would stand with the Pashtun people in other provinces, and the whole nation would support it.
“-The Jirga decided that after AJ [unclear what this is], the construction agreement would be canceled, and Pashtuns did not consider the previous agreements with Pakistan to be effective.
“-The Jirga also decided that the state should restore all blocked ID cards, or else all Pashtuns will return their ID cards.
“-The Jirga decided that if anyone took action against anyone because of this Jirga or on the basis of attending or giving place to it, the Jirga would react so strongly that no one would have imagined.
“-The Jirga decided that the army cannot participate in politics under the current constitution of Pakistan.
“-The Jirga decided that the profits from electricity should be handed over to the province immediately.
“-The Jirga decided that the right of Pashtun people to natural gas and water should be recognized immediately.
“-The Jirga decided to release all the political prisoners.
“-The Jirga decided to abolish the Action in Aid Civil Power Act.
“-The Jirga decided that all the districts would come out to resolve all the demands by next Sunday.
“-The Jirga stage demands every present chief minister of Pakhtunkhwa to pass the bill in the assembly for all these demands.
“-The Jirga decided that a judicial commission should be established against the martyrs who were killed here, and those responsible should be severely punished.
“In the end, all the participants were sworn to make all kinds of sacrifices of life and wealth to implement these things.”
- October 13: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram accusing the attendees of the Pashtun Jirga of being nationalists, and police and intelligence personnel.
“#Entertainment. A Pashtun nationalist movement (Jirga) demands that terrorists withdraw from the Pakistani city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“The movement is led by police officers, intelligence officers, and political parties affected by terrorist operations.
“Observers: It seems that the terrorists will listen to their demands and get them out of the city one way or another :)”
- October 14: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that three Pakistani police officers were killed in Bannu after three unidentified gunmen attacked a police headquarters.
“#Urgent. Three gunmen stormed a Pakistani police headquarters in the Bannu area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing three officers, according to a preliminary toll.”
- October 15: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram noting that Afghans were being taken into custody and deported from Iran, Germany, and the United States “for fear of the presence of terrorists among them . . .”
“#Follow-ups. Arrest and deportation campaigns against Afghans in three countries (Iran, Germany, and America) for fear of the presence of terrorists among them seeking to carry out attacks inside these countries.”
- October 15: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that four people were wounded after an attack with explosives on a Pakistani police vehicle in Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“#Urgent. An explosive device exploded targeting a Pakistani police vehicle in the Buner area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which resulted in the injury of four personnel, including an officer, according to a preliminary toll.”
[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Persian and Pashto. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]
“‘250 Afghans were killed in the firing of Iranian forces on the border of Saravan.’
“Two Afghan refugees who were eyewitnesses to the killing of hundreds of Afghans by Iranian forces at the Kalgan border on Sunday said at the Sarawan border: the military forces at the Kalgan border 260 people were killed in the shooting [sic].
“Sources report that Iranian border guards have targeted Afghan refugees with RPGs.”
- October 16: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram regarding Naseer Ahmad Tawhidi, who allegedly planned to commit a terrorist attack on election day in the U.S. Tawhidi was allegedly in contact with an ISIS-K operative who used the name Malik.
“October 9. The arrest of an Afghan suspected of being a member of the Islamic State in America on the charge of conspiracy to attack on the day of the presidential election.
“Axios: According to a criminal complaint, an Afghan man is accused of being a member of Islamic State, of plotting to carry out another attack on election day in the United States.
“Naseer Ahmad Tawhidi was arrested in the western district of Oklahoma on October 7 after purchasing two AK-47 assault rifles and other weapons from an FBI agent.
“He told investigators he intended to ‘target large populations of people.’
“Propaganda materials of the Islamic State were also discovered in the house of Nasir Ahmad Tawhidi.
“October 16. Two American officials have told the NBC news channel that the Afghan accused of planning a terrorist attack on the day of the American election had connections with the Khorasan branch of the Islamic State.
“Nasir Ahmad Tawhidi admitted to the FBI that he was in contact with a person named Malik, a member of this group.”
- October 16: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that unknown militants killed the Taliban intelligence chief for Badbakh district in Laghman province.
“#Urgent. Afghanistan: An attack targeted the head of intelligence in Badbakh district in Laghman province on Tuesday, killing him. So far, no party has claimed responsibility for this attack.”
- October 16: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the Taliban supreme court sentenced ten people in three provinces to between 30 and 39 lashes of public flogging for extramarital sex or same-sex relations. Please see: https://www.afintl.com/en/202410179326.
[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Persian and Pashto. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]
““#Persian. The Taliban Supreme Court announced that ten people, including four women, will be arrested in the provinces of Khost, Kabul, and Laghman.
“Accusations of extramarital sex (adultery) and male-to-male sex (sodomy) were publicly flogged [sic].
“The Taliban punished these people with 30 to 39 lashes.”
- October 16: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that Iran’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Hassan Kazmi Qumi, noted that the Taliban was included in the axis of resistance and that Iran could “send Taliban suicide squads to Gaza.”
[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Persian, Pashto, and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]
“Hassan Kazmi Qumi, the Iranian special representative in Afghanistan, says that the Taliban movement is part of the resistance axis of the ‘Iranian government led by Khamenei,’ and when Iran wants it, it will send Taliban suicide squads to Gaza.”
- October 17: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the Taliban banned women from speaking in public but allowed women to participate in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) delegation as well as women from foreign diplomatic delegations.
[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Persian, Pashto, and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]
“And while the Taliban banned the women of Afghanistan from participating in the ‘public forum,’ foreign representatives continued to attend gatherings of this group in Kabul. The head of UNAMA and some other foreign women participated in the Taliban meeting on the impact of climate change in Afghanistan.”
- October 17: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram contrasting Iranian border guards killing 250 Afghans who were trying to cross into the country with the October 1 Iranian missile attack on Israel that “did not injure a single Jew, but killed a Gazan.”
“#Follow-ups. Two days ago, Iran killed 250 Afghans while they were trying to flee across its borders.
“Noting that Iran launched hundreds of missiles against Israel and did not injure a single Jew, but rather killed a Gazan.”
- October 18: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that unidentified gunmen ambushed a bus carrying Taliban members at a fake checkpoint on the Faryab-Badghis highway, killing five and injuring at least five others.
“#Urgent. Armed men set up a fake checkpoint on the Faryab-Badghis road in the Agh Kotil Afghan region and opened fire on a bus carrying Taliban militia members who tried to escape from the checkpoint, which led to the death of five and the injury of five others in a preliminary toll.”
- October 18: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram with additional information on the attack on a bus carrying Taliban members in Qaysar, Faryab.
[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Persian, Pashto, and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]
“An attack on a vehicle carrying Taliban fighters in Qaysar, Faryab. Seven people were killed, including six Taliban.
“Local sources in Faryab said seven persons, including six Taliban, were killed and five persons, including three Taliban, were injured in an attack carried out by unidentified gunmen on the passengers of a passenger vehicle on the Badghis-Faryab road.
“According to sources, the attack was carried out on Thursday evening, and the vehicle was heading from the Jund area of Badghis province to Qaysar district of Faryab province.
“This attack took place in the district of Qaysar, Faryab.”
- October 18: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that a Taliban checkpoint was attacked near the Kabul airport. Four Taliban soldiers were killed, and two were allegedly injured.
“#Urgent. An armed attack on the road to Kabul airport targeting a Taliban checkpoint, killing four members and wounding two others.”
3. ISIS Amaq/Nashir Statements
- September 28: ISIS claims to have killed a Pakistani police officer and injured two others in an armed attack in the Khar region of Bajaur, Pakistan.
“Khorasan Province. By the grace of Allah Almighty, the soldiers of the Caliphate targeted elements of the apostate Pakistani police in the village of Sheikh in the Khar region in Bajaur the day before yesterday with pistol shots, which led to the death of one and the injury of two others, praise be to God.”
- October 5: ISIS claims to have attacked a Taliban vehicle in Kunar with explosives, killing or injuring an unknown number of its occupants.
“Khorasan Province. By the grace of God Almighty, the soldiers of the Caliphate detonated an explosive device on a vehicle of the apostate Taliban militia in the Dewagal area of Kunar yesterday, which led to its destruction and the killing and wounding of those inside, praise be to God.”
- October 11: ISIS claims to have killed an alleged Pakistani intelligence asset in Mamund, Bajaur.
“Khorasan Province. By the grace of Allah, the soldiers of the Caliphate targeted an element of the apostate Pakistani intelligence in the Kohati roundabout in the Mamund, Bajaur, with pistol shots, which led to his death, praise be to God.”
- October 12: ISIS claims to have attacked Taliban personnel in the Shah Tigh Mountain area of Ghor Province, killing three people and injuring one.
“Khorasan Province. By the grace of Allah, the soldiers of the Caliphate targeted elements of the apostate Taliban militia in the Shah Tigh Mountain in the Ghalmin area in Ghor with machine guns, which led to the killing of three people and the wounding of a fourth, praise be to God.”
4. Amaq Video Released October 5, 2024
Text: “ISIS militants detonated an explosive device on a Taliban vehicle yesterday in the Dewagal area of Kunar province.”
The Amaq video is a 30-second clip that shows a vehicle being destroyed by an explosive device on a road.