Afghanistan Content Report

August 10–16, 2024

Please note all items in this issue concern ISIS-K

Table of contents

1. ISIS Al-Naba Newsletter Edition 456, Published August 15, 2024
2. Pro-ISIS Online Chatter
3. ISIS Nashir/Amaq Statements
4. ISIS-K Linked al-Azaim Pashto Poster, “In the Ranks of the Infidels,” Released on August 12, 2024

Main points (Pro-ISIS online chatter)

• One person was killed and 13 injured in an attack on a bus in Kabul. ISIS claimed responsibility, asserting that they had killed Shiites. 
  • A pro-ISIS post noted that the group continued to target Shiites in Kabul despite the Taliban's claims to have secured Shiite areas of the city.
  • A post also alleged that the Taliban were lying about the number of people killed or wounded in the attack.
• Taliban and Pakistani border guards fought in the Torkham area.
  • Pro-ISIS posts alleged that Pakistani border forces intentionally targeted homes and killed at least four civilians.
• The Taliban condemned a commander who advocated for violence against Shiites and criticized Iran.
• There were allegedly explosions in Kabul, reported on August 13. 
• The Taliban invited a Pakistani Shiite political leader to attend ceremonies marking the third anniversary of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
  • Some celebrations are taking place in the fortified Bagram Airfield due to fear of ISIS attacks.
• 283 people, including women and children, have been killed in Panjshir Province since the Taliban takeover.
• The Pakistani government has alleged that some of the money stolen in armored car robberies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been given to terrorist entities in Afghanistan.
• Pakistani police and soldiers were killed in fighting in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 
• Unknown people murdered a young man in Jalalabad.
• Militants of the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group are fighting with the Pakistan Army in Mir Ali, North Waziristan.

1. ISIS Al-Naba Newsletter Edition 456, Published August 15, 2024

• “A Rafidi [derogatory term for Shiites] was killed and 13 others were injured in an explosion by the caliphate’s soldiers in the Afghan capital of Kabul.”

“The soldiers of the caliphate in the province of Khorasan killed one person and injured 13 apostate Rafidis [a derogatory term for Shiites] in a bombing that targeted their bus this week in the Afghan capital of Kabul. In the details, with the grace of God almighty, the soldiers of the caliphate detonated a sticky bomb on a bus of apostate Rafidis on Sunday 6 Safar in the Dashte Barchi area west of the city of Kabul, which led to its damage, the death of a Rafidi, and the injury of 13 others, praise be to God.

“The same area west of the capital, which is inhabited by a majority of Shiites, has witnessed many similar bombings that have claimed dozens of lives and wounded among the Shiites over the past few years.”

• “The Militia Confesses.”

“After the news and pictures spread in the media, the Taliban militia admitted to the bombing through its police commander, who said that ‘their forces arrived at the scene and began investigations.’ These are statements that apostate governments resort to after every security failure. It is worth noting that the spokesman for the Taliban militia had claimed one day before this operation that they had eliminated the Mujahideen and ‘extended their control over all Afghan territory,’ as he put it. The answer came the next day from the heart of the capital Kabul with the blood of their rejecting allies, the position of the apostates, praise be to God.”

• “The Shiite mechanism targeted by the Mujahideen with a sticky bomb in the Afghan capital Kabul.”

2. Pro-ISIS Online Chatter

• August 10: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that a former military commander from the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan was killed in Lashkar Gah. The post claimed that he had been in hiding. 

“#Urgent. Armed men stormed the house of the [former] commander of the military administration, Abdul Zahir, in the city of Lashkar Gah and killed him.

“The element was leading the military administration in its war against terrorists before America handed over power to the Taliban militia and he remained hidden in his house until dawn today, when the gunmen took him out of the house and into the grave.”

• August 10: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the Pakistani government has alleged that attacks on government armored cars transferring money in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have benefited terrorists in Afghanistan. The post claims that “in recent days,” $200,000 had been stolen, with an unknown percentage being transferred to Afghanistan. 

“#Entertainment. Pakistani government: Terrorists are fighting us in the heart of the Pakistani political system’s economy.

“Pakistani government: In recent days, attacks on government banks’ money transfer vehicles have increased in the city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“Pakistani government: It has been found that terrorists are behind these operations.

“Pakistani government: In recent days, terrorists have seized about $200,000, some of which they transferred to their comrades in Afghanistan.”

• August 10: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that the head of the Taliban intelligence unit for Nangarhar, Maulvi Mohammad Bara, was dismissed for concealing the torture of prisoners. Afghan International noted that Bara was removed due to allegations of financial corruption (see https://www.afintl.com/en/202408116394). 

[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Pashto and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]

“The head of the Taliban militia, Hibatullah Akhundzada, dismissed the head of the Taliban’s intelligence for Nangarhar, Maulvi Mohammad Bara, who is accused of hiding the worst torture of two people by the intelligence agency, during interrogations in their prisons. 102 people have been killed due to torture, most of them are related to [belief in] Salafism.”

• August 10: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that a Pakistani police officer was killed by militants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“A Special Branch Police Officer, Asmatullah, was killed in an armed attack in Chārsadda [area] of [Khyber] Pakhtunkhwa.”

• August 10: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that a Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander was shot at in South Waziristan but was unhurt. The post noted that he is currently a supporter of the Pakistani government.

[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Pashto and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]

“In Afghanistan, the famous commander against Americans and allied nations, Waheeddullah ‘Jigri,’ who is currently a supporter of the Pakistani security forces, [was shot at]. Today, militants shot at his office in the Makin region of South Waziristan, but he remained safe.”

• August 10: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that since the Taliban assumed control of Afghanistan, 283 people have been killed in Panjshir province, including women and children.

[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Pashto and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]

“In the past three years of Taliban rule, 283 people were killed in Panjshir province alone, including women and children.”

• August 10: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that unknown individuals murdered a young man in Jalalabad. 

[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Pashto and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]

“#Nangarhar: This morning, unknown gunmen shot and killed a young man in the ‘Hadi Akhundzai’ area of ​​the 6th district of Jalalabad city.”

• August 11: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that militants of the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group are fighting with the Pakistani army in Mir Ali, North Waziristan. The post noted that the Bahadur faction is “seen as a supporter of ISIS” and does not have any allegiance to the Pakistani Taliban. 

[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Pashto and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]

“At this time, a fierce battle is going on between ‘Hafiz Gul Bahadur’ and the Pakistani army in the Mir Ali district of North Waziristan.

“It should not be forgotten that ‘Hafiz Gul Bahadur’ has been seen as a supporter of ISIS.

“‘Hafiz’ has been known as the best and strongest ‘Ansar’ [supporter] among Arabs and other immigrants for the past 24 years.

“And what is important is that ‘Hafiz’ does not have allegiance to the Emirati [Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan] militia.

“‘Hafiz’ is very much opposed to the conflict of photography [sic] because so far, few people know him internationally.

“At the beginning of ISIS, ‘Hafiz’ announced that ISIS are their brothers and their arms are open to them.

“The ongoing war continues with great intensity, and it is believed that ‘Hafiz’s’ fighters will take control of Mir Ali city and the surrounding areas. God knows best.”

• August 11: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that ten people were killed and an unknown number were injured in an explosion targeting Shiites on a bus in Dashte Barchi, Kabul. ISIS took credit for the attack the same day. 

[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Pashto and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]

“At least ten people were killed, and many others were injured in the latest explosion that took place in the Dashte Barchi area of ​​Kabul. Local sources reported that the explosion targeted a Shiite bus.”

• August 11: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram containing photos from the Dashte Barchi attack and stating that attacks on Shiites continue despite the Taliban’s claims to have secured Shiite areas of Kabul. 

“#Update.

“#Observers: The area is known for its Shiite majority population and has been targeted by terrorists several times, while the Taliban militia has repeatedly claimed to have secured the area. Terrorism is returning to strike again in the same way that Baghdad terrorists do.

“Photos from the explosion site.”

• August 11: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that seven Pakistani soldiers were killed during fighting in Mir Ali, North Waziristan.

[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Pashto and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]

“After a fierce battle in the Mir Ali region of North Waziristan, seven Pakistani soldiers were killed.”

• August 11: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that Pakistani soldiers closed all roads leading to Kurram after an explosion. 

[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Pashto and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]

“A huge explosion occurred in Kurram, which led to the formation of Pakistani soldiers to close all roads.”

• August 11: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that the Taliban lied about the number of people killed or injured in the Dashte Barchi bus bombing. The post stated that the Taliban had to admit that the casualty numbers were higher after their “previous lie” was exposed.

[The post states that the Taliban claimed that one person was killed and 11 were wounded in the Dashte Barchi bus bombing but that locals noted the death toll was higher. The post claims that the Taliban are adjusting the number of people killed or wounded after their lies were exposed.]

“#Update. Taliban militia raises death toll and injuries due to exposure to their previous lie.

“And they are still lying.”

• August 11: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that an explosion in Wana, South Waziristan, targeted the car of a police commander, killing two police officers. 

[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Pashto and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]

“In the city of Wana, South Waziristan, an explosion occurred in the car of the security commander, in which two policemen died.”

• August 12: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that two boys were robbed at gunpoint in Jalalabad. The post claimed that “such incidents are increasing on this street.”

[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Pashto and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]

“Jalalabad. At 6:30 a.m. in the second district, Rahim-e Ghamzada Street, robbers sitting in a rickshaw took mobile phones and Afghani [currency] from two boys at gunpoint. Such incidents are increasing on this street.”

• August 12: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the former head of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), General Faiz Hameed, identified as a “Taliban affiliate,” was arrested. The post noted that General Hameed “drank milk tea with the Taliban militia in Kabul,” while Afghans cannot afford milk. General Hameed was arrested for a court martial related to misconduct related to a private housing company. See https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/pakistan-army-arrests-former-spy-chief-initiates-court-martial-proceedings-2024-08-12/. 

[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Pashto and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]

“A former director of Pakistan's intelligence [Inter-Services Intelligence], a Taliban affiliate, was arrested by Pakistan's security forces.

“General Faiz Hameed is the one who drank milk tea with the Taliban militia in Kabul, while no citizen of Kabul or Afghanistan drinks milk tea but green tea or coffee.”                                                     

• August 12: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the Afghan Taliban are fighting with Pakistani border guards in Torkham.

“Battles are taking place between Taliban militias and Pakistani forces in Torkham.”

• August 12: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that fighting between the Afghan Taliban and Pakistan is still occurring along the border and that clashes began when the Taliban constructed new border posts, after which Pakistan attacked them. See https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-afghanistan-torkham-border-shootout-153a235135b94712eb3e7baed47f3e95 

[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Pashto and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]

“It is said that the war between Pakistan and Afghanistan is still going on.

“The war started when the Afghan Taliban militias were building new [border] posts, and the Pakistani forces attacked.”

• August 12: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the Taliban have attacked two positions held by Pakistani soldiers. The post noted that Afghans are angry that Pakistani soldiers have targeted civilian homes. 

[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Pashto and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]

“So far, the Afghan militias have shot down two positions [sic] of the Pakistani forces, and on the other hand, the residents are angry that the Pakistani forces are targeting public houses in Afghanistan. The battle is still going on.”

• August 12: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that five Pakistani soldiers were killed when their vehicle hit a mine or improvised explosive device in Datta Khel, North Waziristan. 

[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Pashto and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]

“In Datta Khel, North Waziristan, a car of Pakistani soldiers was hit by a mine. Five soldiers were killed.”

• August 12: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that three male children and their mother were killed in Torkham after Pakistani soldiers attacked their home during the border clash.

[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Pashto and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]

“In #Torkham, a house in Afghanistan was targeted by Pakistani forces, where three sons and their mother were martyred [sic].”

• August 12: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the body of an Afghan child was located in a pond in the Iranian city of Isfahan.

“The body of an Afghan youth was found in a pond in the Iranian city of Isfahan.”

• August 12: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the Taliban are sending additional forces to the Torkham border area. 

[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Pashto and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]

“#Taliban militias are moving towards zero point of #Torkham border!

“#Pakistan🤜🤛 #Afghanistan.

“Whoever cooperated with the oppressor, the same oppressor will be imposed by Allah on the helpers.”

• August 12: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram alleging that a thief, who hid a pistol in a book, was arrested. The post notes that he will not face religious punishment under the Taliban.

[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Pashto and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]

“In Jalalabad, the thief who was carrying a gun in the middle of the book and committing many thefts was also arrested. 

“Of course, there is no legal limit.”

• August 12: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, Ronald Neumann, noted that the U.S. had not forgiven Sirajuddin Haqqani, now the current Taliban interior minister, but that the U.S. may choose to look past this. See https://www.afintl.com/en/202408133276. 

[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Pashto and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]

“The former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan believes that Washington has not forgiven Sirajuddin Haqqani, who has a $10 million bounty on his head. Ronald Neumann said that America may want to look to the future regarding Haqqani.”

• August 12: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram regarding the Taliban’s condemnation of Hamid Khorasani, a Tajik Taliban commander, after he criticized Iran and Shiites and advocated for violence against Shiites. See https://www.khaama.com/mujahid-abdul-hamid-khorasani-holds-no-position-just-a-nomad/.

“#Follow-ups. The Taliban militia issues a statement through its name [sic], disowning one of its leaders and describing him as a ‘nomad’ because he mentioned the truth about the Shiites, their rule, and the way to deal with them.

“The militia expelled the leader after he rejected the militia's approach and its closeness to the Shiites, Iran, and America, and it is not unlikely that they will arrest or kill him.”

• August 12: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that four Pakistani soldiers were killed and 27 were wounded in an attack in South Waziristan. 

[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Pashto and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]

“Four Pakistani soldiers were killed and 27 others injured in an attack by militants in South Waziristan.”

• August 13: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that an alleged Pakistani intelligence official was killed in the village of Bagan in Kurram Agency.

[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Pashto and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]

“#Kurram. A Pakistani intelligence official, ‘Akbar Shah,’ was killed by unknown gunmen in Bagan.”

• August 13: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that unidentified militants killed three Pakistani soldiers in Khyber District. 

[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Pashto and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]

“Three Pakistani soldiers were killed in an attack by militants in Khyber District.”

• August 13: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that the body of a 39-year-old man from Takhar province was found. The post noted that the victim was shot many times. 

[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Pashto and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]

“Today, the body of Hojjatullah, [who was] 39 years old, from Takhar province, was found torn apart by bullets on the highway in [between] Dashti Qala and Rustaq districts.”

• August 13: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that there was an unidentified explosion in Kabul’s District 15. 

[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Pashto and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]

“In the 15th district of #Kabul, they heard an explosion.”

• August 13: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that there was an explosion targeting the Taliban in the Kote Sangi area of Kabul. The post also claimed that earlier in the day, there was an explosion in the 9th security area of Kabul. The post noted that there was no information regarding the number of killed or wounded in both incidents.

[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Pashto and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]

“A few minutes ago, there was an explosion in the Kote Sangi area of ​​the fifth district in Kabul. According to preliminary information, the target was the Taliban. Earlier, an explosion took place in the 9th security area of ​​Kabul city around 9:30 pm, but the full details of the victims in both incidents have not been obtained.”

• August 13: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that General Patrick Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, said that the U.S. was “closely monitoring” terrorist groups in Afghanistan, including ISIS-K, and that terrorist groups in the country posed a global threat. See https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3871618/pentagon-press-secretary-maj-gen-pat-ryder-holds-a-press-conference/ 

[Please note that the message below is nearly identical in both Pashto and Arabic. Only one translation is provided, rather than the double translation in both languages.]

“The spokesperson of the U.S. Department of Defense said on Tuesday that they are closely monitoring the activities of terrorist groups, including ISIS, in Afghanistan and the surrounding areas. Patrick Ryder admitted that there are threats from these groups in Afghanistan.”

• August 14: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the Taliban were celebrating the third anniversary of the takeover of Afghanistan inside Bagram Airfield because they “fear of being targeted by terrorists.”

“#Entertainment. The Taliban militia decided to hold celebrations for taking over power from the Americans inside the Bagram military base for ease of protection and fear of being targeted by terrorists.”

• August 14: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that Sirajuddin Haqqani indicated his hope that the world would cooperate with the Taliban “and help us as they do with our opponents.”

“I hope the people of the world will work with us and help us as they do with our opponents, Sirajuddin Haqqani, Taliban interior minister.”

• August 16: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the Taliban ambassador to Pakistan invited the head of the Pakistani Shiite political organization Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen to attend ceremonies marking the Taliban takeover of the country. The post mockingly stated that, “these are the allies of al-Qaeda.”

“#Follow-ups. At a special invitation from the Taliban militia ambassador to Pakistan, Sardar Ahmed Khan Shakib, the head of the Council of Shia Units [Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen] of Pakistan, Raja Nasir Abbas Jafri, attended the ceremony of America handing over power to the Taliban at the Serena Hotel and delivered a speech on this occasion and was warmly received by Taliban militia officials.

“These are the allies of al-Qaeda.”

3. ISIS Nashir/Amaq Statements

• August 11: ISIS claims to have bombed a bus in the Dashte Barchi area of Kabul in an attack explicitly targeting Shiites. ISIS claims to have killed one person and wounded 13 others. 

“Khorasan Province. A Rafidi was killed, and 13 others were injured, in a bombing by caliphate soldiers in the Afghan capital [of] Kabul.

“By the grace of God almighty, the soldiers of the caliphate detonated a sticky bomb on a bus belonging to the apostate Shiites, in the Dashte Barchi area, west of the city of Kabul, which led to damage, the death of a Shiite, and the injuring of 13 others. All praise and gratitude be to God.”

4. ISIS-K Linked al-Azaim Pashto Poster, “In the Ranks of the Infidels,” Released on August 12, 2024

Summary:

• The poster condemns Taliban soldiers who participated in a mountain climbing competition in Russia.
• Taliban soldiers will stand in line with the soldiers of foreign countries.
• If they indeed fought for religion, Taliban soldiers would not be standing in line laughing with Russian and other foreign soldiers.