Afghanistan Content Report: October 4 – October 10, 2025

Afghanistan Content Report 

October 4 – October 10, 2025

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

 

Table of contents 

  1. ISIS Al-Naba Newsletter Edition 516, Published October 9, 2025
  2. Pro-ISIS Online Chatter
  3. ISIS Amaq/Nashir Statements
  4. ISIS-K Linked Al-Azaim Poster Released on October 7, 2025 

 

Main points (Pro-ISIS online chatter) 

Afghanistan

  • Pakistani drones attacked an armored vehicle belonging to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leader Noor Wali Mehsud in Kabul.
    • It is not clear whether Mehsud has been killed. Mehsud allegedly released an audio message stating that he was still alive. However, Afghan media Amu TV has claimed that Mehsud was dead.
    • The airstrike occurred while Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi was in India.
    • “Disagreements among Taliban members” allegedly led to Pakistan’s discovery of Mehsud’s location.
    • The Taliban have cut diplomatic ties with Pakistan and closed border crossings in response.
  • The Pakistani military also attacked TTP sites in Jalalabad, Khost, and Paktika provinces.
  • Political analyst Salim Paigeer, a commentator on Afghan television, was seriously wounded during an assassination attempt in the Shahr-e-Naw area of Kabul.
  • Four Taliban soldiers were killed and their weapons stolen in Darm, Kapisa Province, after they were reportedly invited into a home for a meal.
    • One of the murdered soldiers was allegedly a “security zone commander.”
  • A former United Nations official, Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler, now senior director of the Counter Extremism Project, has warned that the deportation of Afghans from Pakistan and Iran could lead to a recruitment opportunity for ISIS in Afghanistan.
  • Internet connectivity remains unstable in parts of Afghanistan. Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada allegedly ordered that the internet in Kunduz be turned off. Web access returned within 24 hours.
  • India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan stated their opposition to the U.S.’s potential plan to retake Bagram Air Base. 

Pakistan

  • An Afghan cleric was murdered in Peshawar.
  • Unidentified gunmen tried to murder Mufi Shakir Abdullah in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
  • Unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle killed a “tractor driver” in South Waziristan.
  • 16 Pakistani soldiers were killed and two were injured in fighting with the Pakistani Taliban in Kurram. Several TTP soldiers were injured and two leaders were reportedly killed.
  • 11 Pakistani soldiers were killed in an attack in Tirah Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A news report claims the TTP carried out the attack.
  • Three members of the Frontier Corps were killed and four were wounded in an attack in Balgatar, Balochistan.
  • A Pakistani military officer was killed during fighting in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
  • A bomb killed a soldier and wounded an army officer in Kharan, Balochistan.
  • Militants attacked a police training center in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
  • Unidentified gunmen attacked a court in Kharan, Balochistan, burning records and kidnapping a judge.
  • A police officer was injured and his “companion” was killed in an attack in Lower Kurram, Pakistan.
  • Pakistan’s chief of the army staff, General Asim Munir, has suggested that the U.S. build and operate a port at Pasni on the Arabian Sea. 

 

1. ISIS Al-Naba Newsletter Edition 516, Published October 9, 2025  

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

 

2. Pro-ISIS Online Chatter 

“Urgent. Gunmen assassinated four members of the Taliban’s Ministry of Defense while they were attending a party in the village of Darm in the Tagab district of Kapisa, Afghanistan.” 

 

oct 4 pro isis
  • October 4: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that unidentified gunmen attacked a police vehicle in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, leading to an unknown number of casualties. 

“Urgent. Armed attack targets police vehicle in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, 

Pakistan. The extent of casualties is unknown as the attack occurred minutes before the incident [sic].” 

 

 

  • October 4: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram clarifying that the Taliban soldiers killed in Tagab district had been tricked by being invited into a home to enjoy a meal before they were killed. 

“Update. Local sources: The militants deceived the Taliban by inviting them to a meal inside a house. 

Once they arrived, they killed them, seized their weapons, and withdrew into the mountains.” 

 

“Urgent. Gunmen assassinate an Afghan Taliban member while he was in the Pakistani city of Peshawar. 

The member was operating in the Afghan province of Paktia.” 

  • October 4: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram noting that the Taliban have said that the killing of four soldiers in Tagab district was a “criminal” matter. 

“Entertainment. Taliban police: The incident was criminal, but we are investigating to determine the nature of the incident.” 

 

  • October 4: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that one of the four soldiers killed in Tagab district was a regional “security zone commander.” 

“Update. Among those killed was a security zone commander in Kapisa.” 

oct 4

 

  • October 4: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle killed a “tractor driver” in South Waziristan. 

“Urgent. Gunmen riding a motorcycle opened fire on a tractor driver in South Waziristan, Pakistan, killing him instantly.” 

 

“Follow-ups. The Financial Times revealed that Pakistan is offering the United States the coastal settlement of Pasni on the Arabian Sea coast to exploit its mineral resources. The U.S. military is constructing a ship terminal in the area to facilitate the transportation of extracted minerals. The settlement is located 160 kilometers from Iran and Afghanistan. 

“Financial Times: The proposal, submitted by advisors to the Pakistani army chief, aims to enhance U.S. influence and counterbalance the influence of the Chinese port of Gwadar. 

“The project focuses on transporting vital minerals such as copper and antimony, at a cost of up to $1.2 billion, and aims to strengthen economic and security relations between Pakistan and the United States.” 

  • October 5: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram noting three attacks in Pakistan: A bomb targeting a police vehicle in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the murder of a police officer in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and a bombing targeting a judge near the Indian border. 

“Urgent. An explosive device exploded targeting a police vehicle in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, causing injuries and damage. A police officer was killed in an armed attack in Bannu. An explosive device exploded targeting a Pakistani judge near the border with India.” 

 

  • October 5: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that a bomb killed a soldier and wounded an army officer in Kharan, Balochistan. 

“Urgent. A soldier was killed and an army officer was injured when an explosive device exploded near a military vehicle in which they were traveling in the Kharan area of Balochistan, Pakistan.” 

 

Text: “’The risk is very high,’ expert says Islamic State in Khorasan Province may recruit from forced returnees. Former UN monitor [Dr.] Hans-Jakob Schindler warns that large-scale deportations could provide the Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP) with new growth opportunities. Islamabad. Multiple reports confirm a sharp rise in the number of Afghans being forcibly expelled from Pakistan and Iran—a mass return that has alarmed diplomats and security officials. They warn that the Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP), already based in eastern Afghanistan and known for its brutal attacks, is poised to exploit the unrest.” 

“Follow-ups. [Former] UN monitor warns against deportation of Afghans.” 

oct 5

 

  • October 6: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that unidentified gunmen attacked a court in Kharan, Balochistan, burning records and kidnapping a judge. See https://www.dawn.com/news/1947133. 

“Urgent. Gunmen attacked a local court building in the Kharan district of Pakistan’s Balochistan province, kidnapped a judge, and withdrew to an unknown location. The judge’s name is Muhammad Jan.” 

 

  • October 7: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has ordered that the internet be turned off in Afghanistan again. The post notes an internet outage in Kunduz province, where the internet was restored within 24 hours. See https://amu.tv/204029/.  

“Follow-ups. Sources: Taliban leader [Hibatullah] Akhundzada has ordered the internet to be cut off in Afghanistan again, and the outage is expected to continue. The Taliban government began implementing the decision by shutting down the internet in Kunduz province this morning.” 

 

“Follow-ups. Joint statement: India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan declare their opposition to the U.S. takeover of Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. Taliban spokesman thanks Russia for recognizing their rule in Afghanistan.” 

 

  • October 7: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that a police officer was injured and his “companion” was killed in an attack in Lower Kurram, Pakistan.  

“Urgent. A police officer was injured and his companion was killed in an armed attack targeting a security checkpoint in Lower Kurram, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan.” 

 

  • October 7: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that unidentified gunmen tried to murder Mufti Shakir Abdullah in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The post below claims that his son was injured. Shakir Abdullah is the son of Mufti Munir Shakir, who was killed in a bombing in Peshawar in March (see Afghanistan Content Report 146).  

“Urgent. Also in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, gunmen riding a motorcycle attacked the vehicle of the government mufti, Shakir Abdullah, resulting in minor injuries to his son.” 

 

“Follow-ups. 16 Pakistani soldiers were killed and two others were wounded in a clash with Pakistani Taliban militants in the central Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 

“The Taliban lost two leaders, one of them named Shaheen, and six other members were wounded. Clashes are still ongoing.” 

oct 8

 

  • October 8: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that three members of the Frontier Corps were killed and four were wounded in an attack in Balgatar, Balochistan.  

“Urgent. Three border guards were killed and four others were injured in an armed attack in Balgatar, Balochistan.” 

“Urgent. A major in the Pakistani counterterrorism forces was killed in a clash with militants in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.” 

 

  • October 9: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that there was gunfire and explosions in Kabul. 

“Urgent. Heavy gunfire followed by explosions in the Shahr-e-Naw area of the Afghan capital, Kabul.” 

 

  • October 9: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that political analyst Salim Paigeer, a commentator on 

    Afghan television, was assassinated in the Shahr-e-Naw area of Kabul. News reports indicate that Paigeer was seriously wounded in the attack, but survived. See https://www.afintl.com/en/202510093433.

“Urgent. Gunmen riding a motorcycle assassinated Salim Paigeer, a security and political analyst for the Taliban government’s television station, in the Afghan capital, Kabul. 

“Saleem sustained serious injuries and was subsequently transferred to Kabul Military Hospital, where he later died during surgery to remove bullets from his body.” [Please note that there is no indication in news sources that Paigeer died.] 

 

  • October 9: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that there was an alleged Pakistani airstrike in Kabul.  

“Urgent. Reports of a Pakistani airstrike targeting the Afghan capital, Kabul.” 

 

  • October 9: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram noting that the Pakistani airstrike “coincided with the arrival of” Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in India. 

“Update. The bombing coincided with the arrival of the Taliban’s foreign minister in India.” 

 

  • October 9: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that unidentified military aircraft have been spotted in Kabul.  

“Urgent. Warplanes in the skies of the Afghan capital, Kabul.” 

 

  • October 9: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the military aircraft flying over Kabul attacked an armored vehicle belonging to TTP leader Noor Wali Mehsud, noting that he was not confirmed to have been killed. 

“Urgent. Sources: Unidentified bombers, likely belonging to the Pakistani Air Force, targeted an armored vehicle belonging to Noor Wali Mehsud, the leader of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), near the Abdul Haq Shahid intersection in Kabul. Although his vehicle was reduced to ashes, it is unclear whether he is alive or dead.” 

 

“Urgent. Almost confirmed reports indicate a successful assassination attempt on the leader of the Pakistani Taliban movement, following a Pakistani airstrike targeting his home and vehicle in the Afghan capital, Kabul.” 

 

  • October 9: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram noting that parts of Kabul were closed following the attack. “Urgent. Heavy Taliban security deployment around the site of the raid, closing off entrances to the area and preventing anyone from approaching it.” 

 

  • October 9: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that Pakistani intelligence had been monitoring Noor Wali Mehsud’s vehicle before the attack. 

“Monitoring. A Pakistani intelligence account posted a photo of the Pakistani Taliban leader’s vehicle just before he was targeted. It appears he was closely monitored.” 

 

  • October 9: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the channel administrators could not conclusively state whether the Pakistani Taliban leader was killed, noting that an alleged proof-of-life audio clip mentioned the date. 

“Follow-ups. Al-Sakhra TV 30 monitored Pakistani Taliban channels circulating a 1:27-minute audio clip of the Pakistani Taliban leader mentioning today’s date and announcing the failure of his assassination attempt. 

“We were unable to verify the authenticity of his audio.” 

 

  • October 9: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that the Pakistani military also attacked TTP sites in Jalalabad, Khost, and Paktika provinces. The post noted that the TTP has a “political dispute” with the Pakistani government, implying that it is not a religious dispute. 

“Urgent. Pakistani incursion amid shelling targeting several locations in Jalalabad, Khost, and Paktika. 

“Pakistani media reports that the attacks targeted positions of the Pakistani Taliban, which has a political dispute with the Islamabad government that has escalated into a military and security dispute. “Kabul bombing site.” 

 

  • October 9: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that a Pakistani journalist noted that Pakistani drones likely carried out the attack on Mehsud in Kabul. The post claimed that "disagreements among Taliban members led to the discovery of his whereabouts." 

Text: “Unidentified drones, likely from Pakistan, targeted four areas in Kabul at the heart of the Taliban regime, and killed Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud, the leader of the Pakistani Taliban, while Amir Khan Muttaki was staying in India. Mehsud was passing by the Imperial Hotel in a Land Cruiser. Disagreements among 

Taliban members led to the discovery of his whereabouts, paving the way for a targeted attack. October 10, 2025.”

“Update. A Pakistani journalist reports confirmation of Mehsud's assassination in Kabul and internal disputes that led to the leak of security information about his whereabouts.”

 

  • October 10: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the Taliban have cut diplomatic ties with Pakistan and closed border crossings in response to the Kabul attack. 

“Urgent. The Taliban government has severed diplomatic ties with Pakistan and closed border crossings between the two countries.” 

 

“Urgent. An attack targeting a Pakistani army base in Haider Kandao, Tirah Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, resulted in the deaths of 11 soldiers, according to a preliminary toll.” 

 

  • October 10: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram mocking Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, claiming that he told the Indian government that they had destroyed their enemies in Afghanistan.  

“Follow-ups. Taliban foreign minister boasts: We have eliminated all the government’s Indian enemies in Afghanistan.”

 

“Urgent. Gunmen storm Pakistani police training center in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.” 

 

 

3. ISIS Amaq/Nashir Statements 

•            There were no Amaq/Nashir claims of responsibility for Afghanistan between October 4 and 10. 

 

4. ISIS-K Linked Al-Azaim Poster Released on October 7, 2025 

The poster was released in English, Pashto, and Russian. The individual depicted below was previously identified by ISIS’s Amaq Agency as the perpetrator of the September 2, 2025, suicide attack targeting a Balochistan National Party rally in Quetta.

isis al azaim

 

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