Afghanistan Content Report: October 11 – October 17, 2025

Afghanistan Content Report 

October 11 – October 17, 2025

Please note that all items in this issue concern ISIS-K 

 

Table of contents 

  1. ISIS Al-Naba Newsletter Edition 517, Published October 16, 2025
  2. Pro-ISIS Online Chatter
  3. ISIS Amaq/Nashir Statements
  4. ISIS-K Linked Al-Azaim Pamphlet Released on October 16, 2025 

 

Main points (Pro-ISIS online chatter) 

Afghanistan

  • Fighting between the Taliban and Pakistan continued in the Kunar–Bajaur border area.
  • The Taliban announced that they attacked Pakistani border posts, while the Pakistani government said that positions in Kurram and Chitral had been assaulted from Kunar, Nangarhar, and Nuristan provinces.
  • On October 12, the Pakistani military claimed that 200 Afghan Taliban soldiers were killed and 32 Pakistani soldiers were killed in fighting.
  • There were several Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul on October 15.
  • Abdul Zahir Safi, a media employee of the Taliban-run Ministry of Information and Culture, was killed.
  • Six people were killed and seven were wounded in a Pakistani airstrike in Urgun district, Paktika province.
    • The Taliban initially sought to cover this up.
  • A 48-hour ceasefire between the Taliban and Pakistan was declared on October 15.
  • Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid accused Pakistan of harboring ISIS camps and alleged that external operations had been “launched” from these locations.
  • The Pakistani military allegedly killed an Afghan Taliban commander known as “Istiqlal” in Helmand.
  • Pakistani airstrikes in Kandahar and Helmand killed 19 Taliban soldiers.
  • Taliban and Pakistani commentators are trading insults on X. o A Pakistani commentator asked why the Taliban spokesperson said that Indian persecution of Muslims was an internal matter, but offered condolences to members of a political group killed by Pakistani police officers.
    • Pakistani commentators have encouraged Pakistan to take territory in Afghanistan beyond the Durand Line.
  • The Pakistani military destroyed a Taliban T-55 tank in a drone strike.
  • The Taliban have allegedly rerouted Pakistani exports to Iran. 

Pakistan

  • Seven Pakistani soldiers were killed in a car bomb attack near the border with Afghanistan.
  • The Pakistani minister of defense allegedly ordered Afghans in Pakistan to leave the country and said that the Taliban is doing India’s bidding by fighting against Pakistan.
  • Unidentified gunmen attacked the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad on October 17, allegedly targeting a gathering of military leaders.
  • Unidentified gunmen murdered a TTP commander, Tariq Kochi, in Tesh, Balochistan.
  • Armed attacks in Pakistan have increased by approximately 557 percent from 2021 to 2025, according to statistics posted by a pro-ISIS Telegram channel. 

 

1. ISIS Al-Naba Newsletter Edition 517, Published October 16, 2025  

• There were no ISIS-K news items in this week’s al-Naba.  

 

2. Pro-ISIS Online Chatter 

  • October 11: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram with more information regarding the October 10 TTP attack on a Dera Ismail Khan police training center.

“Update. Seven police officers were killed, and others were injured. A local group claimed responsibility for the attack. The site housed 207 officers, and 200 of them were able to escape during the raid.” 

 

  • October 11: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that fighting between Pakistan and the Taliban in the Bajaur–Kunar border region has continued.  

“Urgent. Border clashes between the Pakistani army and Afghan Taliban elements on the border between Bajaur and Kunar.” 

 

oct 11

 

  • October 11: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the Afghan Taliban officially declared they attacked Pakistani border posts. Pakistani officials noted that border posts in Kurram and Chitral

    came under attack from Kunar, Nangarhar, and Nuristan provinces. See https://www.dawn.com/news/1948511. 

“Urgent. In a major escalation, the Afghan Taliban officially announced that it had attacked several Pakistani border posts. Pakistani officials reported that border posts in Kurram and Chitral have come under fire from Kunar, Nangarhar, and Nuristan. [Attacks have occurred against] four border posts so far.” 

 

 

  • October 11: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming to show a video of fighting between the Taliban and the Pakistani military. 

“Urgent. Part of the border clashes between the Taliban and the Pakistani army.” 

 

  • October 12: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the Pakistani military claimed that 200 Afghan Taliban soldiers were killed and 32 Pakistani soldiers were killed in fighting. Please note that it is possible that the Pakistani military claimed that 23 Pakistani soldiers were killed, and “32” is an error in the pro-ISIS post. See https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgmzmn4971zo.

“Urgent. Pakistani military sources: 200 Taliban fighters killed on the Afghan side, while 32 Pakistani soldiers were killed in border clashes.” 

 

  • October 12: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram responding to Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid’s claim that Pakistan is harboring ISIS fighters and that the March 2024 Moscow ISIS attack and the 2024 Kerman, Iran attack were “launched” from ISIS camps in Pakistan. The pro-ISIS post claims that the Taliban seek close ties with Iran and that the Taliban allege that there are no ISIS camps in Afghanistan, despite the often-secret ongoing war against ISIS in the country. 

Text: “Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid: Pakistan harbors ISIS members and camps, and from these camps, the attacks on Russia and Tehran were launched. Pakistan must either hand over ISIS members or expel them from Pakistan.” 

“Observers. The Taliban is hurt because the attack on Iran was planned inside Pakistani [terrorist] camps. What hurts the Taliban is the attack on Iran because of their close relationship, which Iran strengthened through a temporary marriage between the two parties. 

“As for Afghanistan, the Taliban wants to tell the public that Afghanistan has no [terrorist] camps, despite the almost daily operations that are announced, the majority of which are not announced and take place inside Afghanistan. 

“Now, the Taliban spokesman wants to solicit international support by bringing the V [ISIS] issue into the ongoing political war between them, hoping to gain their favor with this issue, which they know is the only one that frightens the world. This is what [President Ahmed] al-Sharaa is doing in Syria.” 

oct 12 pro isis on telegram
  • October 12: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that Pakistani media (it appears that it was an unofficial commentator) claimed that Taliban defense minister Mohammad Yaqoob hid during recent fighting. Please note that the photo below is old.  

Text: “Mullah Yaqoob, the so-called defense minister of the Taliban, showed little defensive capability in the face of the Pakistani military’s precise and powerful strikes. Instead of being a leader on the battlefield, he hid like a mouse in the shadows.” 

“Follow-ups. Pakistani official media: Taliban defense minister ‘hid like a rat.’” 

oct 12 pakistani
  • October 12: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that the Pakistani military killed an Afghan Taliban commander known as “Istiqlal” in Helmand. 

“Follow-ups. Afghan Taliban commander ‘Istiqlal’ killed by Pakistani forces on the outskirts of Helmand, Afghanistan.” 

 

“Entertainment. Trump: I heard there was a war now between Pakistan and Afghanistan. I said, ‘That’ll have to wait until I get back.’ I’m doing another one because I’m good at resolving wars. I’m good at making peace. 

“The Guardian of Peace, as Al-Sudais said.” 

oct 12
  • October 12: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that Taliban and Pakistani commentators are trading insults on X (formerly Twitter). 

“Entertainment. Followers of the Afghan Taliban and the Pakistani government are still waging a

‘Taliban’ [sic] war on Twitter.” 

 

“Urgent. 19 Taliban fighters killed in Pakistani airstrikes on the Afghan provinces of Kandahar and Helmand.” 

 

oct 12

 

  • October 13: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that Taliban officials and Pakistani commentators are trading barbs on X. The Taliban spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, shared a message of condolence regarding the Pakistani police shooting of Tehreek-e-Labbaik protestors. In response, a Pakistani commentator asked why the Taliban considered India’s persecution of Muslims an “internal” matter but would interfere in Pakistani internal affairs. 

Text: “Regarding the Taliban, the Muslims in India are an internal Indian matter, but in the Pakistani matter, it is permissible to interfere. Good luck with your politics, and may God grant you success with India.” 

“Entertainment. The media squabbling continues between those who say to each other, ‘You are loyal to America,’ and others respond by saying, ‘You are loyal to India.’” 

 

  • October 14: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram noting that armed attacks in Pakistan have increased by approximately 557 percent from 2021 to 2025. It is unclear where these statistics were found. 

“Follow-ups. Pakistan 2021: 89 armed attacks within the country. 

“Pakistan 2025: 585 armed attacks during the first ten months.” 

oct 14
  • October 14: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that the Pakistani military shared footage that shows the destruction of an Afghan Taliban tank. 

“Urgent. The Pakistani army destroys an Afghan Taliban tank.”  

oct 14
  • October 14: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming to show footage of a Taliban T-55 being attacked by a Pakistani Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV). 

“Update. Clearer footage of a Taliban T-55 tank being hit by a UCAV drone, Pakistani media reported.” 

 

  • October 14: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that Pakistan seeks to take and hold territory within Afghanistan, going beyond the Durand Line. The map below has been shared mostly by online commentators and the caretaker information minister for Balochistan province, but there is no indication that this is official policy. The information minister for Balochistan shared the map on X. See https://x.com/Jan_Achakzai/status/1977837783604744204/photo/1. 

“Follow-ups. Pakistan has issued a new map of Afghanistan, cutting off Afghan access to the Wakhan Corridor and seizing control of nearly 10% of Afghan territory. 

“This decisive move will strengthen Pakistan’s strategic position in Central Asia and with China.” 

oct 14

 

  • October 15: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that fighting between the Afghan Taliban and Pakistan has continued. The post noted that the conflict is not of a religious character and instead is being fought over worldly matters. 

“Follow-ups. The fighting is still ongoing and intense between the Afghan Taliban government and the Pakistani army. 

“The fighting is part of a political, national, and border conflict, not a religious one. 

“Footage broadcast by the Pakistani army.” 

oct 15

 

  • October 15: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that there were three explosions in Kabul. The explosions would later be determined to be Pakistani airstrikes. See https://amu.tv/205642/.  “Urgent. Three explosions rock the Afghan capital, Kabul.” 

 

  • October 15: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that Abdul Haq Wasiq, the Taliban acting director of intelligence commanding the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI), was killed in Kabul. There is no evidence that Wasiq was dead, and unofficial social media accounts claimed that he was in Doha on October 17 to negotiate with Pakistan. 

“Urgent. Sources: Reports of the killing of Taliban intelligence chief Abdul Haq Wasiq in Kabul.”

 

  • October 15: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram noting that a 48-hour ceasefire has been declared. 

“Entertainment. After Taliban pleas, the Pakistani military announces a 48-hour ceasefire agreement.”

 

oct 15

“Urgent. A Pakistani tank was captured and seized in Spin Boldak.” 

 

  • October 15: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that there was “a tanker explosion in Kabul.” The explosion was later revealed to have been caused by Pakistani airstrikes. See https://amu.tv/205642/.  

“A tanker explosion in Kabul.” 

 

  • October 16: Pro-ISIS post on RocketChat claiming that the TTP has issued a fatwa declaring that Muslims serving in official armed forces are not committing the sin of disbelief because they serve “for money, and defense of their homeland.” The post is meant to insult the TTP.
oct 16

 

“Follow-ups. Iran Observer: Afghanistan reroutes exports from Pakistan to Iranian ports due to disputes with Pakistan, and Iran could earn $2 billion in revenue.” 

oct 16

 

“Follow-ups. A military correspondent for the Afghan Taliban government’s television station was killed by Pakistani army gunfire from the Nangarhar side.” 

 

“Urgent. Reuters, citing security officials, said seven Pakistani soldiers were killed in a car bomb attack near the Afghan border.” 

oct 17

 

  • October 17: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that supporters of the Afghan Taliban and the Pakistani government continue to fight on X. 

“Entertainment. The national political media conflict continues between followers of the Pakistani regime and followers of the Afghan Taliban.” 

 

“Urgent. Pakistani Defense Minister: The Afghan Taliban is fighting us on behalf of India. 

“Pakistani Defense Minister: All Afghans residing in Pakistan must leave immediately.” 

oct 17

 

  • October 17: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that unidentified gunmen murdered a TTP commander, Tariq Kochi, in Tesh, Balochistan. 

“Urgent. Gunmen assassinate a Pakistani Taliban leader, Tariq Kochi, while he was in the Tesh district of Balochistan, Pakistan.” 

oct 17 ttp
  • October 17: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that six people were killed and seven were wounded in a Pakistani airstrike in Urgun district, Paktika province. The post noted that two children were killed, and six women, presumably civilians, were injured. 

“Urgent. Six people were killed and seven others were injured in a preliminary toll from a Pakistani airstrike targeting the Urgun district of Paktika, Afghanistan. 

“Two children were among the dead, and six women were among the injured.” 

 

  • October 17: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that unidentified gunmen attacked a gathering of Pakistani military officials at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad. The video shows an explosion followed by gunshots. 

“Urgent. Gunmen attack the Marriott Hotel in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, and reports indicate that an important meeting of Pakistani military officials was targeted.” 

oct 17

3. ISIS Amaq/Nashir Statements 

•            There were no Amaq/Nashir claims of responsibility for Afghanistan between October 11 and 17. 

 

4. ISIS-K Linked Al-Azaim Pamphlet Released on October 16, 2025 

A 12-page pamphlet released online in Pashto titled “The dividing tents of disbelief and Islam.” 

Summary: 

  • The Taliban have joined with India in a common front against ISIS.
  • There are two camps: the camp of faith, which is without hypocrisy, and the camp of hypocrisy, which is without faith.
  • The pamphlet states that infidels, polytheists, and hypocrites have gathered to fight against the truth.
  • Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, in a visit to India, told his counterparts that the two countries and that the region needed to stand together to fight ISIS.
    • Muttaqi said that Afghanistan was on the front lines fighting ISIS, but that the Taliban were successful in eliminating the terrorist group.
  • The Taliban have shed blood with the Americans, defending them at Kabul International Airport during the U.S. withdrawal. o ISIS attacked a Sikh gurdwara on June 18, 2022.
    • The Taliban chose to stand with Sikhs, Hindus, and Buddhists.
    • The pamphlet states that this is evidence that the Taliban, their army, and their supporters are members of the infidel coalition.
  • The Taliban are apostates and the army of Satan, which is why they have allied with the infidels, polytheists, and hypocrites.
  • Young Taliban members and supporters should abandon the Taliban, who have admitted to being part of the infidel coalition.
    • The most significant offense is joining the forces of the infidels and fighting against those opposing polytheism and disbelief.
    • The pamphlet tells Taliban members to abandon their leaders, who have accepted disbelief and will lead them astray.
al-azaim
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