Afghanistan Content Report: May 3 – May 9, 2025
Afghanistan Content Report
May 3 – May 9, 2025
Please note that all items in this issue concern ISIS-K
Table of contents
1. ISIS Al-Naba Newsletter Edition 494, Published May 8, 2025
2. Pro-ISIS Online Chatter
3. ISIS Amaq/Nashir Statements
Main points (Pro-ISIS Online Chatter)
Afghanistan
- Mosques in Badakhshan have allegedly called for demonstrations after Taliban soldiers raided homes “and launched a campaign of random arrests.”
- The Taliban are allegedly allowing an American Christian missionary to operate in Afghanistan.
- The Taliban called for an end to the conflict between India and Pakistan.
- Four people were killed in armed attacks in Faryab.
- Iran is trying to increase its political and cultural influence in Afghanistan.
Pakistan
- A tribal leader was assassinated by unidentified gunmen in South Waziristan.
- Unidentified gunmen murdered the deputy director of intelligence for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
- There were multiple attacks on Pakistani military and police forces in Balochistan on May 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.
1. ISIS Al-Naba Newsletter Edition 494, Published May 8, 2025
• There were no ISIS-K news items in this week’s al-Naba.
2. Pro-ISIS Online Chatter
- May 4: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that unidentified gunmen murdered a tribal leader in South Waziristan.
“Urgent. Gunmen assassinate a tribal leader (mukhtar) in South Waziristan, Pakistan.”
May 4: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that Russia has publicly stated that they will assist the Taliban in fighting ISIS-K, noting that they have a “common enemy.” See
“Follow-ups. Russian Special Envoy to Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov: Terrorists in Afghanistan are a common enemy for us and the Taliban, and we will cooperate in fighting them.”
- May 5: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that mosques in Badakhshan have put out a call for demonstrations after Taliban soldiers raided homes “and launched a campaign of random arrests.” See https://www.afintl.com/en/202505065109.
“Follow-ups. Mosques in the Afghan province of Badakhshan are calling on people to demonstrate after Taliban security forces raided homes in the Atin-Jalaw area and launched a campaign of random arrests.”
- May 5: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that unidentified gunmen murdered the deputy director of intelligence for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, and wounded another person.
“Urgent. Gunmen assassinate the deputy director of the intelligence office in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and wound his companion.”
- May 5: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that a Pakistani Army patrol in Pishin district, Balochistan, was attacked with “a motorcycle bomb,” leading to casualties.
“Urgent. A motorcycle bomb exploded, targeting an army patrol in the Pishin district of Pakistan’s Balochistan province, resulting in deaths and injuries.”
- May 6: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that six Pakistani soldiers were killed and five injured in an IED attack in Balochistan. The post noted that a commander in the special operations forces was among those killed. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) later claimed responsibility for the attack. See https://www.dawn.com/news/1908978.
“Urgent. Six Pakistani army personnel, including special operations commander Tariq Imran, were killed and five others wounded in an IED attack in the Kachhi area of Balochistan province.
“The IED targeted a Pakistani army vehicle between Ameer Post and Ali Khan base.
“Dead:
“1. Tariq Imran, Special Operations Commander
“2. N. K. [Naik] Asif
“3. Sub [Subedar] Farooq
“4. N. K. [Naik] Mashkoor
“5. Sep [Sepoy] Wajid “6. Sep [Sepoy] Kashif “Wounded:
“1. Sep [Sepoy] Zeeshan
“2. Sep [Sepoy] Shadman
“3. Sep [Sepoy] Awais
“4. Sep [Sepoy] Zainullah, Special Operations Command
“5. Sep [Sepoy] Tayyab, Special Operations Command.”
- May 6: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that the Taliban have allowed the American evangelical Robby Dawkins to work as a Christian missionary in Afghanistan. Dawkins posted the video below on his Instagram account on April 17.
“Follow-ups. After banning the books of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, closing Salafi schools, and expelling Salafis from mosques and universities, the Afghan Taliban government has granted permission to an American ‘missionary’ movement to call for the worship of Christ within the country under the slogan ‘Christ is God and the Son of God.’”
- May 7: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram noting that the Taliban has called for a cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan.
“Entertainment. The Afghan Taliban government calls for calm and says the war between India and Pakistan does not serve ‘regional security.’”
- May 7: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram noting recent bombings in Balochistan, Pakistan. Balochi separatist groups are suspected of committing the attacks. See https://thebalochistanpost.net/2025/05/twoied-explosions-hit-pakistani-forces-in-zamuran/.
“Urgent. Explosions in Pakistan’s Balochistan Province.
“A Pakistani military vehicle and supplies were targeted in two separate IED attacks in Zamoran, Kech District.
“A member of the Pakistani Army’s bomb disposal squad was killed in the Dashtuk area of Zamoran, and two others were wounded.
“A Pakistani Army supply vehicle was targeted and destroyed in the Saha Dam area of Zamoran.”
May 7: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram condemning Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (the Council of Indian Muslim Theologians) for expressing their support for the Indian government and military following the
Pahalgam terrorist attack in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. The post claimed that as Deobandis, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind have a similar ideology to the Taliban. The post criticized both groups for prioritizing nationalism over coreligionists.
“Follow-ups. Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind Deobandi Maturidi (Taliban ideology) declares its full solidarity with India and the army.
“New Delhi: Responding to India’s military action in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Mahmood Madani said that the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind cannot make any concession on the issue of sovereignty, integrity, and security of the country. If there is any attempt by Pakistan to impose war, we unequivocally declare that the entire nation, people of all faiths, especially Muslims, stand like a rock with our army.
“India is our country, and protecting it is our national and constitutional responsibility. Jamiat Ulema-eHind has always stood for patriotism, peace, and unity, and today, as our borders are threatened, we declare our unified stand with our armed forces.
“Maulana Madani said that we will work to strengthen the spirit of unity, patience, and sacrifice in the country at all levels. We call on the Indian government to respond appropriately to every act of aggression by the enemy. We want to send a clear message to the enemies that India, as a united nation, will protect its country at any cost.”
May 8: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that “simultaneous armed attacks” in Faryab,
Afghanistan, have resulted in the deaths of four people, including a former soldier who served in the military of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
“Urgent. Simultaneous armed attacks in the Afghan province of Faryab leave four dead, including a former Afghan army soldier.”
- May 8: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the Taliban have asked India and Pakistan to deescalate and stop the ongoing fighting.
“Entertainment. Afghan Taliban: ‘We gently and compassionately appeal to India and Pakistan to ease tensions, and we call for peace and harmony between the two noble neighbors, with wisdom prevailing and refraining from violence.”
- May 8: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the Iranian ambassador to Afghanistan, Alireza Bekdali, has increased his number of meetings with “Taliban leaders, as well as non-Taliban politicians, Shiite scholars, and cultural activists in Afghanistan.” The post alleged that Iran is seeking to increase its political influence and soft power in Afghanistan.
“Follow-ups. In pictures: Alireza Bekdali, the Iranian ambassador to Kabul, has recently intensified his meetings with Taliban leaders, as well as non-Taliban politicians, Shiite scholars, and cultural activists in Afghanistan.
“The Iranian embassy has also held strategic cultural programs to expand its political and cultural influence in Afghanistan.
“It is noteworthy that the Taliban has opened Afghanistan’s doors wide to Iran on all political, security, religious, and cultural levels.”
- May 8: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that there was a large explosion in Panjshir province.
“Urgent. A massive explosion rocks the Afghan province of Panjshir.”
- May 8: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that unidentified individuals murdered two Pakistani Air Force officers in Balochistan.
“Urgent. Gunmen assassinate two Pakistani Air Force officers in Balochistan province.”
- May 8: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that the U.S. has not followed through on promises made to the Taliban in the Doha Agreement. The post claims that the Taliban are “seeking to please America” and granting the U.S. additional favors. However, the U.S. is unwilling to “lift sanctions and fulfill the agreements.”
“Observers. This is what happened and is happening in Afghanistan. The United States promised the Taliban at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar to lift sanctions and hand over prisoners. After they concluded the agreement, the United States reneged on most of its promises, and the Taliban began seeking to please America by all means necessary to secure what had been agreed upon, to no avail. Day after day, they make more concessions in order for the United States to lift sanctions and fulfill the agreements. This is one of the methods of blackmail practiced against those who flatter the United States, which sees them as slaves—nothing more, nothing less than employees.”
- May 9: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram regarding many attacks on Pakistani soldiers and police officers in Balochistan.
“Urgent. Multiple coordinated attacks targeting Pakistani forces and infrastructure were reported in various parts of Balochistan today.
“Turbat: A hand grenade attack was reported in the D-Baloch area of Turbat, targeting Pakistani forces. The extent of casualties or damage has not yet been confirmed.
“Kech District: Explosions and ongoing gunfire were reported in the Buleda area. Details are still emerging as communications in the area are limited.
“Quetta: Three separate hand grenade attacks were carried out on Pakistani army positions in the Hazarganji and Faizabad areas of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan.
“Panjgur: Militants set up a roadblock on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) highway in the Washbod area. Vehicles were stopped, and passengers were reportedly subjected to identity checks.
“In Panjgur, militants seized two police vehicles and weapons. The attackers reportedly kidnapped several police officials.
“The militants seized a police station, seized weapons, and then set it on fire.
“The militants also seized a checkpoint in the Bonistān district.
“Reports indicate that members of a government-backed militia, known locally as the ‘death squad’ and led by a man named Qasim, were injured during the clashes.”
3. ISIS Amaq/Nashir Statements
• There were no Amaq/Nashir claims of responsibility for Afghanistan between May 3 and May 9.
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