Afghanistan Content Report

August 24–September 6, 2024

Please note all items in this issue concern ISIS-K

Table of contents

1. ISIS Al-Naba Newsletters
2. Pro-ISIS Online Chatter
3. ISIS Nashir/Amaq Statements
4. Amaq Video Released September 3, 2024
5. Pro-ISIS “Publisher Pakistan” Poster Released on September 3, 2024
6. ISIS-K Linked Al-Azaim Poster Released on September 4, 2024
7. ISIS-K Linked Al-Azaim Poster (Urdu) Released on September 6, 2024

Main points (Pro-ISIS online chatter)

• September 2 attack on the Taliban public prosecutor's office.
  • The attack was in retaliation for imprisoning ISIS-K members, allies, or sympathizers. 
  • Posts alleged that the Taliban lied about the number of people killed or wounded. 
  • Posts also alleged that multiple people employed in the Taliban judiciary had formerly worked for the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. 
• The head of the Taliban's prison system announced that they were holding 11,000 detainees, including 1,000 women and 800 children. 
  • The Taliban reopened the Bagram prison complex.
• The Taliban falsely claimed to have killed an ISIS-K leader (August 25).
• Taliban leaders have close ties to drug smugglers.
• A Taliban vehicle was damaged in a grenade attack in Badghis.
• A Taliban spokesperson admitted that they would not extend religious rule beyond their borders. 
• The Taliban arrested a military commander for encouraging attacks against Iran and Shiites.
• 23 Pakistani soldiers on their way to rejoin their units were killed at a fake checkpoint in Balochistan.
• A Pakistani security forces officer and two officials were abducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by unknown militants.

1. ISIS Al-Naba Newsletters

Edition 458, Published August 29, 2024

• “Eight Taliban militia members killed or wounded in a bombing by the Caliphate’s soldiers in Nangarhar, Afghanistan.”

“During this week, the soldiers of the Caliphate in Khorasan Province killed and wounded eight members of the apostate Taliban militia and destroyed a vehicle of theirs in the Nangarhar region in eastern Afghanistan. In the details, with the help of Allah Almighty, on Thursday (18 Safar), the soldiers of the Caliphate detonated an explosive device on a vehicle of the apostate Taliban militia in the Dara Noor region in Nangarhar, which resulted in its destruction and the killing of four members and wounding four others, praise be to Allah. The militia claimed, through its police spokesman in Nangarhar, that the device was an old mine, in a desperate attempt to cover up the ability of the Mujahideen to reach the region and carry out operations there.

“The militia also claimed that all the dead and wounded in the videos were ‘civilians,’ which was contradicted by a video published by local media outlets, which showed the destroyed military vehicle targeted by the Mujahideen and some of the dead and wounded militia members.”

• “Last week.”

“The soldiers of the Caliphate assassinated a spy for the apostate Pakistani government in the Bajaur region and injured a Pakistani intelligence officer in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in two separate operations in Khorasan Province.”

• “Results of the detonation of an explosive device on a Taliban militia vehicle in the Dara Noor area of ​​Nangarhar”

Edition 459, Published September 5, 2024

• “Dozens of Taliban militia killed and wounded in a martyrdom operation in the Afghan capital of Kabul.”

“Dozens of Taliban apostate militia members were killed and wounded in a martyrdom operation carried out by the soldiers of the Caliphate this week in the capital of Kabul, which struck employees of the so-called Public Prosecutor, which includes judges and prosecutors.”

• “Brother Abu Musab Al-Kabuli—may Allah accept him­­­­­­­—the perpetrator of the martyrdom operation against the employees of the public prosecutor of the Taliban militia in the city of Kabul.”

“In the details, with the grace of God Almighty, one of the knights of martyrdom, brother Abu Musab Al-Kabuli—may God Almighty accept him—set off towards the headquarters of the so-called public prosecutor of the apostate Taliban militia in the city of Kabul, on Monday (28 of Safar), where he detonated his explosive vest among the militia employees as they were leaving the headquarters from the main gate, which led to the killing and wounding of at least 45, including officials and investigators.

“A special source told al-Naba that the operation came after intensive monitoring and reconnaissance that lasted for several days, which enabled the martyr to reach the target and carry out the operation successfully with the help of God Almighty. In the media, the Amaq Agency published a video clip showing scenes of monitoring the target and the moment of carrying out the martyrdom operation, while local media published other pictures showing the bodies of militia members in the place in addition to pictures and names of the dead apostates.”

• “The killing of the public prosecutor employees of the Taliban in a martyrdom operation in Kabul.”

• “Taliban lies.”

“Continuing the militia’s approach of minimizing its losses, its police spokesman in Kabul said that the operation resulted in the killing of six people and the wounding of 13 others, ignoring their positions and responsibilities in their apostate government, as well as concealing the real numbers of those killed and wounded. The attack came after a series of statements by militia leaders about eliminating the Mujahideen in Afghanistan, and the Mujahideen’s denial of these allegations came once again from the heart of the capital of Kabul, where the Mujahideen targeted this time one of their important headquarters in running their apostate government.”

• “In revenge for the prisoners.”

“The blessed operation was revenge for the Muslim prisoners whom the militia had transferred to Bagram prison, which was a base for the American crusader forces before handing over power to the Taliban, who in turn followed the approach of the previous tyrants in torturing and killing the prisoners. The head of prison administration in the militia admitted that they had ‘restarted’ Bagram prison and that it was currently in the hands of the Afghan intelligence, referring to the apostate militia elements. It is worth noting that the Taliban militia kept the same investigators who had served the previous Karzai government to continue their work of abusing Muslims under their new leadership, the Taliban.”

• “The moment of carrying out the martyrdom operation against the Taliban’s public prosecutor employees in Kabul.”

• “Last week.”

“The soldiers of the Caliphate in Khorasan Province killed and wounded eight members of the apostate Taliban militia and destroyed a vehicle of theirs with a bombing that targeted one of their vehicles last week in the Nangarhar region in eastern Afghanistan.”

2. Pro-ISIS Online Chatter

• August 25: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the Taliban falsely claimed to have killed an ISIS-K leader. The post noted that the ISIS-K leader for Nuristan province is a former high-ranking member of the Taliban “who defected” following the “Qatar quagmire.” However, it is not clear what round of Doha negotiations this refers to. The post also noted that the article mocks the Taliban for claiming that there are 200 ISIS-K fighters in Afghanistan and that ISIS-K attacks have continued since the Taliban takeover of the country. The article the post refers to is available here: https://www.afintl.com/202408249440.

“#Follow-ups. An Afghan newspaper published a report denying the Taliban militia’s claims of eliminating terrorism [‘terrorism’ is used to refer to ISIS-K and ISIS-K activities, likely as a way to avoid Telegram channel removal] in the country.

“The newspaper says that the leader of the terrorists in Nuristan [province] is a former leader in the [Taliban] militia who defected because of the calamities he witnessed and its slide into the Qatar quagmire.

“The newspaper says that the claims of the Taliban militia leader that ‘Musa’ [an alleged ISIS-K leader] was killed are false allegations.

“The newspaper also mocked the militia’s claim (like the Iraqi militias) that the number of terrorists in the country does not exceed 200 fighters, while there are only 200 in Nuristan, according to what the newspaper reported.

“The newspaper says that the terrorists are stationed in important strategic areas of Nuristan, Afghanistan, and the attacks that have been ongoing for three years belie the Taliban militia’s claims of eliminating terrorism.”

• August 25: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that Mullah Hidayatullah Badr, the acting minister of mines and petroleum, was photographed with Bashir Noorzai, a notorious Afghan drug kingpin “who was financing the [Taliban] militia before it took power.” 

“#Follow-ups.

“Social media sites are circulating pictures of a meeting of a Taliban militia leader with one of the most famous drug dealers in Afghanistan, who was financing the militia before it took power from the Americans.

“Hashish_drinking.”

• August 25: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the Taliban are cooperating with drug smugglers in the country and that the Taliban also receives Iranian support. The post notes that in return for this support, Iran has been given “projects” and Shiite mosques have opened in Afghanistan. 

“#Observers. The bilateral cooperation between the Taliban militia and the hashish dealers is very clear through the statements of the Taliban militia that the terrorists are supported by Iran and the militia has turned the country into a garden for the Tehran regime by granting them projects, opening temples and establishing close diplomatic relations with them [sic].

“Therefore, we recommend that the hashish dealers buy from the militia because their class is very high.

“#Heisenberg_ Akhundzada [this appears to be a reference to the television show ‘Breaking Bad’].”

• August 26: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that four people were killed and 15 were wounded in an explosion in Razmak Bazar, 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.]

“#Pakistan. Four people were killed, and 15 others were injured in an explosion in Pakistan.

“As a result of the ongoing explosion in Razmak Bazar, North Waziristan, four people were killed and 15 others were injured.”

• August 26: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram noting that 23 people were also killed in Balochistan, Pakistan. 

“This explosion occurred while militants killed at least 23 people last night in the Pakistani province of Balochistan.”

• August 26: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that 23 people were killed in Balochistan when their bus was attacked at a fake checkpoint.

“#Urgent. A fake checkpoint by gunmen in the Pakistani province of Balochistan results in stopping a bus and shooting 23 people dead.”

• August 26: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that the victims of the ambush in Balochistan “were members of the Pakistani army” dressed as civilians on their way to join their military units. 

“#Update. Local sources: All of the dead were members of the Pakistani army who were wearing civilian clothes while joining their military units.”

• August 26: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that a member of Pakistan’s National Party, Omar Sherani, was murdered by unidentified individuals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“#Urgent. Pakistan National Party member Omar Sherani shot dead by gunmen in Daraban area of ​​Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”

• August 26: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that there was an explosion in Kabul. 

“#Urgent. An explosion rocks the 11th security district in the Afghan capital, Kabul.”

• August 27: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that a Taliban vehicle was damaged in a grenade attack in Badghis.

“#Urgent. Militants throw a hand grenade at a Taliban militia vehicle in the Afghan province of Badghis, causing damage to it.”

• August 28: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that former U.S. National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster said that the U.S. “gave concessions to the Taliban” and that President Trump “played a role in the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan,” which “sacrificed Afghans.” 

[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.]

“#Pashto. Former U.S. national security adviser: We gave concessions to the Taliban and left Afghanistan.

“Former U.S. National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster said on Tuesday that Trump, in turn, played a role in the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.

“He said that the US sacrificed Afghans for its own interests by giving concessions to the Taliban on the way out of Afghanistan.”

• August 28: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that “a Pakistani security forces officer and two other officials were abducted” by unidentified gunmen in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“#Urgent. #Persian. #Pakistan. A Pakistani security forces officer and two other officials were abducted by eight gunmen in the Ismail Khan Valley area of ​​Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.”

• August 29: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram condemning a Taliban spokesperson for stating that their Islamic Emirate would only be confined to Afghanistan and not extend to other territories. The post alleges that stating that religious law can be restricted to a particular place is an act of apostasy. 

“Unrealistic in today’s world.

“Did you know that this is what secularists repeat?

 “Did you know that this talk denies the knowledge of the unseen for God, God forbid?

“We Muslims have a system of government that is suitable for all places and times.

“But these people who have abandoned religion are trying to justify their crime and ignorance by declaring such dangerous talk.

“We do not know how the bases and followers of these militias will justify this attack on God Almighty, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, the companions, and the predecessors of the nation.

“The nation that has agreed on the necessity of establishing the Caliphate.”

• August 29: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the Taliban arrested a military commander, Abdul Hamid Khorasani, for encouraging Afghan refugees to commit attacks on Iranians and declaring the Iranian government to be “infidels” and “polytheists.” The post claimed that the Taliban arrested Khorasani for his anti-Shiite approach.

Text: “8:00 AM, Panjshir. Informed sources reported that the Taliban movement disarmed and imprisoned a former leader of the group, Abdul Hamid Khorasani.

“Sources told the newspaper Al-Khamis that he was summoned to the military committee in Kabul and was later arrested. According to sources, he was disarmed and imprisoned on the orders of Taliban leader Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund.

“Although the reason for his arrest is not yet clear, the sources claimed that Khorasani was arrested because of his recent statements against Iran. It is worth noting that some time ago, the commander of the Taliban’s Badri unit, Abdul Hamid Khorasani, described the Iranian government as ‘infidel and oppressive’ and considered the Iranian people ‘polytheists and worse than Jews and Christians.’ He asked Afghan refugees to kill ‘cruel Iranians’ with bullets and knives.”

“Taliban militia arrests one of its leaders because of his speech that does not agree with the militia’s approach and doctrine, which agrees with and supports the Shiites.”

• August 31: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that “the director of a government department” in Nangarhar was killed by unknown individuals. The victim, Mohammad Ayub Sharaft, was the transportation chief of Nangarhar in the previous government and was murdered in the city of Jalalabad. Please see: https://atlaspress.news/%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B4%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B3-%D8%B1%DB%8C%DB%8C%D8%B3-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D9%BE%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%AD%DA%A9%D9%88%D9%85%D8%AA-%D9%BE%DB%8C%D8%B4/.

“#Urgent. An armed attack targeted the director of a government department in the Afghan province of Nangarhar, which led to his immediate death.”

• September 1: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the Taliban director general of their prison system announced that they held 11,000 detainees, including 1,000 women and 800 children. The post alleged that the Taliban are reopening Bagram prison, which the U.S previously used. The post also condemns the Taliban for not following religious law. 

“#Follow-ups. The director general of prisons in the Taliban militia announces the presence of 11,000 detainees in their prisons, including 1,000 women and 800 children.

“The militia says it will open the infamous Bagram prison, which the American forces used as a detention center for Muslims and a military base.

“Their situation is like that of the tyrant regimes the majority of whose achievements are building prisons, renovating them, and filling them with Muslims.

“If the ruling were according to Sharia law . . . the divine [sic], no prisoner would remain in this prison because the accusation is not proven except with evidence. And if it is proven, the ruling will not be delayed. As for the prison sentence, it is the punishment of the criminal tyrants.”

• September 1: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that a vehicle belonging to “Pakistani intelligence sources” was destroyed with an explosive device in Bajaur, killing one person and injuring two others. 

“#Urgent. An explosive device exploded targeting a vehicle belonging to Pakistani intelligence sources in Bajaur, killing one element and wounding two others.”

• September 1: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that a Pakistani army headquarters was damaged in Quetta in a grenade attack. The post does not list casualties. 

“#Urgent. A gunman throws a hand grenade at a Pakistani army headquarters in Quetta, causing material damage.”

• September 2: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram regarding the attack on the Taliban judiciary in Kabul. ISIS claimed credit for the attack on September 3. 

“#Urgent. A violent explosion took place in Kabul, the Afghan capital, in front of the office of the Attorney General of the Taliban militia. The explosion took place in the sixth district of the city, and there is news of the killing and wounding of more than 35 militia members, including a prominent leader.”

• September 2: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram containing video footage of the Kabul attack. 

“#Update. Circulating footage shows the moment of the Kabul explosion that targeted a gathering of Taliban militia members, judges, and prosecutors affiliated with the militia.”

• September 3: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that many of the individuals killed in the September 2 suicide bombing in Kabul had been employed in the judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The post noted that these same people were employed by the Taliban “as judges and prosecutors . . . to rule according to the NATO constitution.” This reinforces ISIS’s claim that the Taliban have taken orders from the U.S. regarding how to structure their government and legal system. 

“#Update. Local sources: Most of the dead in yesterday's Kabul explosion were employees of Ashraf Ghani’s courts (the former NATO government). The explosion revealed that the Taliban militia had employed them as judges and prosecutors in its courts to rule according to the NATO constitution.

“Photos of some of the dead.”

• September 3: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram mocking the Taliban chief of staff of the Armed Forces for claiming “There is no actual presence of terrorists in Afghanistan,” especially in light of the September 2 attack in Kabul targeting Taliban judicial personnel. 

“#Follow-ups. A statement by the chief of staff of the Taliban militia a few days ago said, ‘There is no actual presence of terrorists in Afghanistan.’

“The terrorists just published a statement . . . about the operation that targeted judges and public prosecutors in the Taliban militia in the Afghan capital, Kabul, which resulted in the death and injury of 45 of them.

“It is very clear that there is no actual presence :)”

• September 3: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the British chargé d’affaires for Afghanistan, Robert Dixon, condemned the attack on Taliban judicial personnel, offered condolences, and called for an end to violence. 

Text: “A British embassy employee in Afghanistan condemns the suicide attack in Kabul. Robert Dixon, secretary of the British embassy in Afghanistan, condemned the attack on the Taliban’s Monitoring and Enforcement Directorate in Kabul on Sunday and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. Dixon said Afghanistan needs peace and calm after decades of war and violence. The British embassy in Afghanistan described the attack on Monday, called it a terrorist attack, and said that Britain condemns all forms of terrorism.”

“#Update. UK intelligence representative in Afghanistan expresses condolences, condemns Kabul attack.”

• September 3: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the attack on Taliban judicial employees publicly “revealed” that the current Afghan government “employs judges, prosecutors, and court directors from the former Afghan regime.” The post stated that employing judicial personnel from the former government “are the actions of [an] al-Qaeda ally.”

“Do you know what yesterday’s Kabul bombing revealed?

“It revealed that the Taliban militia employs judges, prosecutors, and court directors from the former Afghan regime, the ‘Ghani regime.’

“Many of them were killed in the explosion, and it turned out that they were employees of the former NATO government.

“These are the actions of al-Qaeda ally A [sic].”

• September 3: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that a Pakistani police officer was murdered in Quetta.

“#Urgent. An armed attack targeted a Pakistani police officer in Quetta, which led to his immediate death.”

• September 3: Pro-ISIS post on RocketChat, stating that ISIS attacks in Germany have led to the German government sending migrants back to Afghanistan. The post noted that “when the need arises, Taliban becomes unterrorist [sic].”

• September 5: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the head of Uzbekistan’s State Security Services praised the Taliban for their fight against ISIS-K. The post noted the importance of Shanghai Cooperation Organization states in defeating terrorism in Afghanistan. 

“The head of the intelligence and border services of Uzbekistan, Abdusalom Azizov, praised the battle of the Taliban militia against the terrorists, adding that it is necessary for the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to wage a joint fight against the terrorists in Afghanistan.

“Wherever you turn, you find alliances against the terrorists.

“And the head of each alliance are the Islamist groups [referring to the Taliban].”

3. ISIS Nashir/Amaq Statements

• September 3: ISIS claims to have killed and wounded 45 people in a suicide attack outside of the Public Prosecutor Office in Kabul. The post noted that the attacker waited until employees left the building before attacking. 

“Dozens of dead and wounded among the ranks of the apostate Taliban militia in a martyrdom operation in Kabul.

“By the grace of God Almighty, one of the knights of martyrdom, Brother Abu Musab al-Kabuli—may God Almighty accept him—set off towards the headquarters of the so-called Public Prosecutor Office for the apostate Taliban militia in the city of Kabul yesterday, where he detonated his explosive vest among the militia employees as they were leaving the headquarters through the main gate, which led to the death and wounding of at least 45 people, including officials and investigators, and praise be to God.” 

• September 3: Additional information regarding the Kabul suicide bombing targeting Taliban prosecution services. The post claimed that the attack was in response to the Taliban moving ISIS prisoners to Bagram “in a repetition of the American era and its practices against prisoners.”

“More than 45 Taliban employees and investigators were killed or injured in a martyrdom bombing in the Afghan capital, Kabul. 

“Afghanistan—Kabul—Amaq Agency: Dozens of Taliban militiamen were killed and injured in a martyrdom attack in front of one of their ‘judicial’ headquarters in the capital, Kabul. Security sources told Amaq Agency that a martyrdom fighter from the Islamic State succeeded yesterday, Monday, in reaching the militia’s public prosecutor headquarters in the Dar al-Aman area, south of Kabul. The sources added that the martyr remained in place, waiting for the office’s employees to leave the main gate of the headquarters after the end of their work. The sources explained that the fighter detonated his explosive vest among them, resulting in more than 45 deaths and injuries, including prosecutors and investigators. The sources confirmed that the attack came in retaliation for Muslim prisoners in Taliban prisons, especially after they were transferred to the notorious Bagram prison in a repetition of the American era and its practices against prisoners.”

4. Amaq Video Released September 3, 2024

A 19-second video with the text “Martyrdom operation against employees of the ‘public prosecutor’ of the Taliban militia yesterday in the capital Kabul.” The video shows close-up footage of a crowd outside of a building, followed by footage of an explosion from a safe distance further down the street.

5. Pro-ISIS “Publisher Pakistan” Poster Released on September 3, 2024

A pro-ISIS poster from “Publisher Pakistan” that also includes the Wilayah Khorasan logo, celebrating the suicide bomber who attacked Taliban judiciary personnel on September 2 in Kabul. The poster claims that the attack was an act of revenge and that there will be more attacks on the Taliban. 

6. ISIS-K Linked Al-Azaim Poster Released on September 4, 2024

Al-Azaim poster in Arabic and Urdu celebrating the September 2 attack in Kabul, stating that it targeted “apostate lawyers” and was in revenge for imprisoning ISIS-K members. 

7. ISIS-K Linked Al-Azaim Poster (Urdu) Released on September 6, 2024

ISIS-K linked al-Azaim poster in Urdu that states that for three years, the Taliban have presented a monthly report to their international supporters regarding their fight against ISIS-K in which they consistently claim that the terrorist group has been defeated. The report is given to the U.S. and the international community and is sometimes presented in Qatar or Turkey and other times in Russia or Norway. Sometimes, the report is presented in Islamabad or Kabul to U.S. personnel. In exchange for this information, the Taliban are provided with funds.