Afghanistan Content Report: August 16–22, 2025
Afghanistan Content Report
August 16–22, 2025
Table of contents
- ISIS Al-Naba Newsletter Edition 509, Published August 21, 2025
- Pro-ISIS Online Chatter
- ISIS Amaq/Nashir Statements
- ISIS-K Linked Al-Azaim Poster, Released on August 17, 2025
- Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent Statement “Regarding the Recent Floods in Pakistan,” Released on August 19, 2025
Main points (Pro-ISIS online chatter)
Afghanistan
- Unidentified individuals stormed the home of a former Afghan National Army officer in Surkh Rod District, Nangarhar, and brutally murdered seven people.
- Unidentified gunmen killed a Taliban commander and his companion in Herat.
- Unidentified gunmen murdered a former Afghan National Army soldier in Hisarak District, Nangarhar Province.
- Former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad criticized Pakistan for hosting a meeting of Afghan opposition figures opposed to Taliban rule.
- A United Nations report released on August 21 warned that combatants in Syria, including ISIS fighters, may travel to Afghanistan.
Pakistan
- A Pakistani military convoy was attacked with an explosive device in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. ISIS claimed credit for this attack the same day.
- Unidentified gunmen assassinated Mufti Kifayatullah of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
- Unidentified gunmen also murdered Kalimullah Noorzai, a JUI-F leader in Taftan, Balochistan.
- Unidentified gunmen murdered seven people in Kohat District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
- Unidentified gunmen murdered a Pakistani border guard in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while he was on leave.
- Unidentified gunmen murdered “an elite member of the Pakistani Ministry of Interior security forces” in North Waziristan and killed a person in a market in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
- Unidentified gunmen murdered an assistant inspector in the Pakistani Counter Terrorism Department in Pishin, Balochistan.
1. ISIS Al-Naba Newsletter Edition 509, Published August 21, 2025
• “15 Pakistani soldiers killed and wounded, a Taliban attack foiled, and a Taliban spy killed in attacks in Khorasan.”
“Khorasan Province. The Caliphate’s soldiers killed and wounded 15 Pakistani army personnel and damaged two of their vehicles. They also thwarted a Taliban attack, killing one member and wounding another. They also captured and killed a Taliban spy in three separate locations in Khorasan province.”
• “A militia attack was thwarted, and one of its members was killed.”
“In detail, by the grace of God Almighty, the soldiers of the Caliphate clashed on Wednesday (19 Safar) with a patrol of the apostate Taliban militia in the Dara Noor district of Nangarhar, using machine guns. They killed one member and wounded another, praise be to God.
“A field source told Al-Naba that the clashes erupted when a militia patrol attempted to storm one of the Mujahideen’s positions, but their attempt failed. The few Mujahideen who participated in the engagement were able to withdraw safely, thanks to God, after inflicting losses on the attacking forces.
Praise be to God.”
• “A militia spy killed [who] participated in night raids.”
“On the security front, on Tuesday (Safar 18), the soldiers of the Caliphate killed a spy affiliated with the apostate Taliban militia in the Kama district of Nangarhar after having captured him earlier, praise be to God. A security source added to al-Naba that this spy participated with the militia in four night raids on the homes of Mujahideen, resulting in the capture of a number of them, before being captured by the security apparatus, praise be to God. The source sent a message to the remaining spies who believed they were immune from punishment, warning them that the hand of the Mujahideen would reach them. Soon, God willing, as it has been for so long, he called on them to hasten to repent before they lose this world and the hereafter.”
• “15 Pakistani army personnel killed and wounded.”
“In a qualitative strike, the soldiers of the Caliphate were able on Wednesday (26 Safar) to detonate a three-wheel-borne explosive device on a military convoy of the apostate Pakistani army as it passed through the village of Inayat Killi in the border town of Bajaur, killing and wounding at least 15 people, including an officer, and damaging two military trucks. Praise be to God.”
2. Pro-ISIS Online Chatter
August 16: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that unidentified gunmen murdered Mufti
Kifayatullah, of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam. Reporting indicated that Mufi Kifayatullah and his wife were both seriously injured but survived, but their two children were killed. See
“Urgent. Gunmen assassinated Mufti Kifayatullah of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.”
- August 16: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad criticized Pakistan for hosting a meeting of Afghan opposition figures opposed to Taliban rule.
“Follow-ups. U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad is angry and condemns Pakistan’s announcement to host an Afghan opposition conference.
“Zalmay: On August 25 and 26, Pakistan will host a meeting of Afghan exiles opposed to the Taliban, including some who support the violent overthrow of the current government. Afghan citizens have the right to express their political views, but Pakistan’s apparent support for them by hosting their conference is deeply unwise and deliberately provocative. I would say the same thing if the Taliban were hosting a gathering of Pakistanis seeking to overthrow their military–dominated government. Afghanistan and Pakistan suffer from a massive lack of trust and cooperation. This move by Islamabad can only achieve the opposite. Immature and irresponsible.”
- August 17: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that unidentified gunmen murdered seven people in Kohat District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. See https://www.dawn.com/news/1931473.
“Urgent. Gunmen kill seven people in Kohat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. The motive for the attack is unknown.”
- August 18: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that unidentified gunmen murdered Kalimullah Noorzai, a leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam in Taftan, Balochistan.
“Urgent. Gunmen assassinate Kalimullah Noorzai, a leader of Jamiat Ulema–e–Islam (JUI-F), in Taftan, Chagai District, Balochistan Province.”
- August 18: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that Indian media is reporting that the Pakistani government will allow Afghan opposition forces to open offices in Pakistan. See https://www.news18.com/world/limiting-india-in-kabul-pakistan-to-host-afghan-oppositionleaders-including-ahmad-massoud-ws-l-9511963.html.
“Follow-ups. Indian media: The Pakistani government intends to approve the opening of offices for opponents of the Afghan Taliban government.”
- August 18: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that unidentified gunmen murdered a former Afghan National Army soldier in Hisarak District, Nangarhar province. See https://khorasantimes.com/?p=17602.
“Urgent. Armed men riding a motorcycle assassinated a member of the 205th Atul [Hero] Corps, part of the former Afghan National Army, in the Koz-Asiab area of Hisarak District, Nangarhar province.”
- August 19: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that unidentified individuals stormed a house in Surkh Rod District, Nangarhar, and “slit the throats of seven people.”
“Urgent. Gunmen stormed a house and slit the throats of seven people in the Surkh Rod District of Nangarhar, Afghanistan.”
- August 19: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that Khalilzad has continued to criticize the Pakistani government for hosting Taliban opponents. The post noted that in 2025, “America defends the Taliban.”
“Follow-ups. U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad continues to attack the Pakistani government for hosting opponents of the Afghan Taliban government and accuses Pakistani intelligence of sponsoring the meetings.
“2025: America defends the Taliban.”
- August 19: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that unidentified gunmen murdered a Pakistani border guard in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while he was on leave.
“Urgent. Gunmen assassinated a Pakistani border guard in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while he was enjoying his annual leave.”
- August 20: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that a Pakistani military convoy was attacked with an explosive device in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. ISIS claimed credit for this attack the same day.
“Urgent. An explosive device exploded targeting a Pakistani army convoy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, wounding six soldiers, according to a preliminary toll.”
- August 20 Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that the house where seven people were murdered in Surkh Rod District, Nangarhar, belonged to a former officer in the Afghanistan National Army.
“Update. It turns out that the house belonged to an officer in the Republican Guard [likely referring to the Republic era, not a specific unit] of the former Afghan regime.
“Photo of the officer.”
- August 21: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that 24 people were injured in an explosion at a fireworks factory in Karachi.
“Follow-ups. An explosion in the Pakistani city of Karachi leaves 24 injured, according to a preliminary toll.
“Authorities say the explosion occurred inside a fireworks factory.”
- August 21: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that the Taliban will build a statue of Ali-Shir Nava’i in Herat. See https://www.afintl.com/en/202508211414 and https://x.com/HurriyatPa/status/1958468616996716872.
“Follow-ups. The Afghan Taliban government has decided to build a statue of the Uzbek philosopher Navai in the city of Herat.
“The foundation stone for the statue was laid by reciting Surah Al-Fatiha.”
- August 21: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that unidentified gunmen murdered “an elite member of the Pakistani Ministry of Interior security forces” in North Waziristan and killed a person in a market in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“Urgent. Gunmen assassinated an elite member of the Pakistani Ministry of Interior security forces outside his home in North Waziristan.
“Gunmen also killed a person in a market in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The motive for the attack is unknown.”
- August 21: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that unidentified gunmen murdered an assistant inspector in the Pakistani Counter Terrorism Department in Pishin, Balochistan.
Text: “Balochistan. An officer from the Counter Terrorism Department was shot dead by gunmen in Pishin. Quetta: An officer from the Counter Terrorism Department was shot dead by gunmen in Pishin. According to police officials, Assistant Inspector Inayatullah, a member of the Counter Terrorism
Department, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle outside his home in Pishin, Bacha Khan Chowk, on Thursday evening. The gunmen fled the scene after the incident. Police arrived at the scene, took the body to the hospital, and launched an investigation.”
“Urgent: Gunmen assassinate a Pakistani counterterrorism officer in Quetta, Balochistan.”
- August 21: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the Afghan Taliban and the Pakistani government claim that ISIS safely operates in the other country.
“Entertainment. Pakistan’s UN envoy, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad: V [ISIS] fighters operate from Afghan territory and carry out attacks inside Pakistani territory. Afghan Taliban official: V [ISIS] fighters operate from Pakistani territory and carry out attacks inside Afghan territory.”
- August 22: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram regarding a United Nations report warning that combatants in Syria, including ISIS fighters, may travel to Afghanistan, exacerbating the conflict there. See https://www.khaama.com/un-warns-syrian-fighters-could-relocate-to-afghanistan-raising-regionalsecurity-risks/.
Text: “The United Nations warns of the possibility of Syrian fighters moving to Afghanistan, increasing the threat from ISIS and the Pakistani Taliban. The United Nations has warned that Syrian fighters who participated in conflicts during 2024 may move to Afghanistan, posing new security risks to the country and the wider region. The warning came in the annual counterterrorism report of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, which he presented to the Security Council on August 21, 2025. The report warned that militants who gained combat experience in Syria could regroup in Afghanistan, potentially fueling instability in neighboring countries. According to the report, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) remains the most serious security threat in Afghanistan, with an estimated 2,000 fighters operating throughout the country. It also indicated that approximately 3,000 ISIS members remain active in Syria, some of whom are likely to be transferred to Afghan territory.”
“Follow-ups. The United Nations warns of the movement of fighters between Syria and Afghanistan.”
- August 22: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that unidentified gunmen killed a Taliban commander and his companion in Herat. See https://x.com/ZawiaNews/status/1958928115813491050.
“Urgent. Gunmen assassinate the commander of the Taliban’s 10th Security Region, Abdullah Jan, and one of his companions in the Afghan city of Herat.”
3. ISIS Amaq/Nashir Statements
- August 20: ISIS claims to have killed or wounded 10 Pakistani soldiers in a bombing in Bajaur, Pakistan.
“10 members of the apostate Pakistani army killed and wounded, and two trucks damaged in a bombing by Caliphate soldiers in the border town of Bajaur.
“Khorasan Province. By the grace of God Almighty, Caliphate soldiers were able to park and detonate a three-wheeled explosives-laden vehicle targeting trucks carrying members of the apostate Pakistani army in the village of Inayat Killi in Bajaur, damaging two trucks, and killing and wounding at least 10, one of whom was an officer. Praise be to God.”
- August 20: Additional information regarding the attack in Inayat Killi, Bajaur.
“10 Pakistani soldiers killed and wounded, and two vehicles damaged in an explosion in the Bajaur District bordering Afghanistan.
“Pakistan–Khyber Pakhtunkhwa–Amaq News Agency: A Pakistani military convoy was directly bombed in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, bordering Afghanistan, causing significant human and material losses. Military sources told Amaq News Agency that ISIS fighters parked an explosives-laden three-wheel bike on Wednesday in the path of a Pakistani army convoy in the village of Inayat Killi in Bajaur District. The sources added that the fighters detonated the explosive device as the convoy of military trucks loaded with soldiers passed, directly hitting it. The sources explained that the bombing resulted in the deaths and injuries of at least 10 people, including an officer, with the death toll likely to rise. Two military trucks were also damaged.”
4. ISIS-K Linked Al-Azaim Poster, Released on August 17, 2025
“The biggest lie ever which is repeated again and again, we defeated ISIS in Afghanistan.”
5. Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent Statement “Regarding the Recent Floods in Pakistan,” Released on August 19, 2025
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