Afghanistan Content Report

September 21–27, 2024

Please note all items in this issue concern ISIS-K

Table of contents

1. ISIS Al-Naba Newsletter Edition 462, Published September 26, 2024
2. Pro-ISIS Online Chatter
3. ISIS Amaq/Nashir Statements
4. ISIS-K Linked Al-Azaim Poster Released on September 23, 2024
5. ISIS-K Linked Al-Azaim Pamphlet “The Murtad Taliban’s Gains in the Last Three Years,” Released on September 25, 2024

Main points (Pro-ISIS online chatter)

• Afghanistan
  • A Taliban officer from the Ministry of the Interior was killed in Mazar-i-Sharif by unidentified gunmen.
  • Two Taliban militiamen were killed and six were wounded in what is alleged to have been a traffic accident in Baghdis.
  • Over 500 people have been stricken with an unidentified disease in Parwan. Fifty people are severely ill and two have died. 
• Pakistan:
  • Fighting between unidentified militants and Pakistani security forces in Mir Ali Tehsil, North Waziristan.
  • Militants attacked a government facility in Srarogha, South Waziristan. The Pakistani military killed and wounded civilians in mortar strikes afterward. 
  • There has been renewed fighting in Kurram between Sunnis and Shiites.
  • A diplomatic convoy was attacked in Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Diplomats were not hurt, but members of the security forces were. 
  • The Pakistani military has declared a state of alert for Balochistan due to fears of suicide attacks on military bases.
    • Four police officers in Balochistan were wounded following the detonation of a bomb attached to a motorcycle. 
• Approximately 30 people were killed following an explosion at a police station in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
• A member of Pakistan’s interior ministry was killed in Bajaur.

1. ISIS Al-Naba Newsletter Edition 462, Published September 26, 2024

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

2. Pro-ISIS Online Chatter

• September 21: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that a Pakistani army officer was killed in Mir Ali Tehsil, North Waziristan, in a battle with unidentified militants.

“#Urgent. A clash between militants and Pakistani army personnel in the Mir Ali Tehsil area of ​​North Waziristan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which resulted in the death of an officer as a preliminary result.”

• September 21: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that police officers are continuing to protest in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, against the murder and kidnapping of police officers, asking the Pakistani government to deal with the situation.

“#Follow-ups. Demonstrations by police officers and personnel in the Bannu area of ​​Khyber Pakhtunkhwa city in protest against the increasing cases of kidnapping and killing targeting the police, demanding that the government provide security and stability :)”

• September 21: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that the Russian government has recruited over 20,000 Afghans to fight against Ukraine. The post states that Afghans traveled to Russia from Iran and Tajikistan.

“Urgent. Media reported that Russia has transferred more than 20,000 Afghans to Russia via Iran and Tajikistan to participate in the war against Ukraine, and Russia promised them housing and money.”

• September 22: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that two Shiites were killed and 20 were wounded in a new round of fighting between Sunnis and Shiites in Kurram, Pakistan.

“#Urgent. Clashes between Shiites and Sunnis in the Kurram district of ​​the Pakistani city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The initial toll is 20 wounded and two dead among the Shiites. Missile attacks target Sunni villages.”

• September 22: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that a convoy of diplomats was attacked with an explosive device in Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, leading to the injuring of four people. The post noted that the diplomatic personnel were allegedly from Bosnia, Russia, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Portugal. 

“#Urgent. An explosive device exploded targeting a diplomatic convoy including diplomats from Bosnia, Russia, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Portugal, in the Swat area of ​Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which resulted in the injury of four personnel according to a preliminary toll and damage to a military vehicle.

“Image of the vehicle.”

• September 22: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the Pakistani army has declared “a state of maximum alert in Quetta, Balochistan” due to the risk of suicide attacks targeting military installations.

“#Urgent. The Pakistani army declares a state of maximum alert in Quetta, Balochistan, due to what it called the possibility of attacks with explosive belts targeting its bases and several security centers.”

• September 22: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that a Pakistani soldier was injured after unidentified militants shot at a border post. 

“#Urgent. Militants opened fire on a Pakistani border post in Shahikot, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on the Afghan border, injuring one soldier.”

• September 22: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the Russian embassy in Pakistan confirmed a diplomatic convoy carrying their ambassador was hit with a landmine or improvised explosive device. The post noted that the ambassador was unhurt but that several police officers were wounded.

Text: “Russian Embassy: A car exploded in the Russian convoy in Pakistan due to a landmine. The diplomatic delegation was not injured.

“The Russian diplomatic mission in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, reported that a car carrying the Russian ambassador to Pakistan exploded as a result of a landmine, confirming that the diplomatic delegation was not injured.

“The Russian embassy in Islamabad added via its Telegram channel today, Sunday, that a car accompanying the delegation of Russian Ambassador Albert Khorev exploded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, northwestern Pakistan, and several police officers were injured, while members of the diplomatic corps were not harmed.

“The embassy said in a statement that: ‘On the way from Mingora to the hotel, one of the escort vehicles exploded with a mine [sic], and several police officers were injured, but the representatives of the diplomatic corps were unharmed.’”

“#Update. The Russian Embassy confirms what we mentioned about an explosion targeting diplomats in Pakistan.”

• September 23: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that a Taliban officer from the interior ministry was killed in Mazar-i-Sharif by unidentified gunmen.

“#Urgent. An armed attack targeted an officer in the Taliban Ministry of the Interior in the city of Mazar-i-Sharif, which led to his immediate death.”

• September 23: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that Iran has completed a 1010-kilometer border wall between itself and Afghanistan. Please see: https://amu.tv/125480/  

Text: “Nozar Nemati, deputy commander of the Iranian Army Ground [Force], said that his country has built a wall on the border with Afghanistan, an area of more than 10 square kilometers.”

“Iran says it built a wall on the border with Afghanistan for fear of terrorists infiltrating :)

“Iraqi Shiites build a wall with Syria.

“Iranian Shiites build a wall with Afghanistan.

“Algeria builds a wall.

“Mali builds a wall.

“Senegal builds a wall.

“Malawi builds a wall.

“Mauritania builds a wall.

“All these walls are for fear of terrorists who formed a global alliance against them and claimed victory over them.

“If walls were useful,

“They would have been useful to the Shiites of Iraq :)”

• September 23: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that a “Pakistani security vehicle” was attacked using an explosive device, injuring one person.

“#Urgent. An explosive device exploded targeting a Pakistani security vehicle in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, damaging it, and injuring at least one member [of the security services].”

• September 24: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that a police station in Peshawar was attacked with machine guns. 

“#Pakistan. A Pakistani police station in Peshawar was targeted with machine guns, causing damage and a major alert for police and intelligence personnel in the area.”

• September 24: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that two Taliban militiamen were killed and six were wounded in what is alleged to have been a traffic accident in Baghdis.

“#Follow-ups. Two members of the Afghan Taliban militia were killed and six others were injured in a traffic accident (as claimed) in the province of Baghdis.”

• September 24: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that unidentified militants attacked a Pakistani government “security site” in Srarogha, South Waziristan. The post claimed that the Pakistani military dispatched a reconnaissance aircraft to the area, killed one civilian, and injured three others in a mortar attack.

“#Urgent. An armed attack targeted a security site of the Pakistani government in the Sararogha area of ​​South Waziristan in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which led to damage. When the attackers withdrew, the Pakistani security forces sent a reconnaissance plane to monitor the attackers. They randomly bombed the area with mortar shells, which led to the shells falling on civilians, killing one person and wounding three others, while the plane was seen falling in an area far from the security site.”

• September 24: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that unidentified militants attacked a Pakistani military vehicle in Swat, injuring two people.

“#Urgent. Armed attack targets a Pakistani security vehicle in the Swat area of ​​Khyber Pakhtunkhwa city, injuring two personnel.

“Scenes from the scene of the attack.”

• September 25: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that during recent fighting in Kurram, 25 Shiites and 10 Sunnis were killed, and 73 people were injured in total.

“#Update. About 25 Shiite dead and 10 Muslims killed in clashes between the two sides in the Kurram region of Pakistan. 

“73 wounded.”

• September 25: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that over 500 people have been stricken with an unidentified disease in Parwan. “Symptoms include weakness, pain in the arms and legs, diarrhea, and fever,” and 50 cases have been classified as “serious,” and two people have died.

“#News. Afghanistan. More than 500 residents of Parwan have been infected with an unknown disease. According to the local health department, the infection has been developing for four days in Shinwari District. According to them, out of 500 cases, 50 have been assessed as serious, with two deaths. Symptoms include weakness, arm and leg pain, diarrhea, and fever, but doctors cannot yet determine the disease.”

• September 25: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that four Pakistani police officers were injured in Balochistan after a motorcycle bomb detonated.

“#Urgent. A bomb planted on a motorcycle targeted a Pakistani police patrol in the city of Balochistan, wounding four officers, according to a preliminary toll.”

• September 26: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that a police barracks exploded in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which killed or wounded 28 people. 

“#Urgent” A massive explosion rocked a Pakistani police barracks in Swabi, ​​Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, causing a building to collapse on top of security personnel and leaving 28 dead and wounded, according to a preliminary toll.”

• September 26: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that the number of people killed and injured in Swabi has increased.

“#Update. 30 killed and wounded in new toll of bombing of Pakistani police site in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”

• September 26: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram stating that unidentified militants attacked a police station with a grenade in Bajaur.

“#Urgent. Militants target a Pakistani police station with a hand grenade in Bajaur, causing damage, according to preliminary results.”

• September 26: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that a member of Pakistan’s interior ministry was shot dead in Bajaur.

“#Urgent. A member of the Pakistani Ministry of the Interior was killed in an armed attack targeting him in the city of Bajaur.”

• September 27: Pro-ISIS post on Telegram claiming that there was an attack by unidentified militants on a police patrol in Tank, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“#Urgent. An armed attack targeted a Pakistani police patrol in the Tank area of ​​Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which resulted in material damage, according to the initial toll.”

3. ISIS Amaq/Nashir Statements

• There were no relevant Amaq/Nashir claims of responsibility for the week of September 21–27.

   

4. ISIS-K Linked Al-Azaim Poster Released on September 23, 2024

Summary: “The Taliban hide their disbelief with drama.” The Taliban are accused of being apostates who try to fool their followers into thinking that they are pious. The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice does not follow accurate religious codes and is part of an attempt to create a smokescreen. The Taliban are accusing of seeking to befriend Shiites and all countries of the world.

5. ISIS-K Linked Al-Azaim Pamphlet “The Murtad Taliban’s Gains in the Last Three Years,” Released on September 25, 2024

• The pamphlet contains the al-Azaim logo and is labeled “Khurasan Wilayah.”
• The Taliban follow their leaders and not the Quran and Sunnah.
• The Taliban have been supported by Pakistan, who have provided “training, feeding, and equipping [sic]” and simultaneously have allowed American military supply convoys to travel through their territory and provided the Americans with intelligence. 
• Pakistan’s ISI still controls the Taliban.
• The Taliban follows a religion designed for them in Doha, Qatar, during negotiations with the Americans.
• Taliban fighters who fought to institute religious law fought for nothing.
• The pamphlet blames the Pugwash Conference and intelligence agencies for controlling Taliban leaders, especially Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai. 
• In addition to agreeing to adopt democracy, the Taliban decided to serve as American mercenaries fighting against ISIS-K.
• The Taliban are deceiving their young followers into believing that they are an Islamic government.
• Sins of the Taliban since taking power according to ISIS-K-linked al-Azaim:
  • The Taliban sought to protect Afghans who served in the previous government instead of punishing them and have allowed many of them to leave the country.
  • The Taliban have also instituted human-made laws in the country. 
  • Meeting with CIA Director William Burns in Kabul.
  • Allowed foreign embassies to open in Kabul and provide them with security. 
  • Referring to China’s treatment of the Uighurs as an internal Chinese matter.
  • Supporting Sufis in Afghanistan.
  • Entering into alliances with the international community at the United Nations. 
  • Receiving weekly payments disguised as humanitarian aid and counterterrorism funds. 
  • Making friends with Shiites and claiming that there are few differences between Sunnis and Shiites.
  • Accepting the United Nations and their “godless, tyrannical contract of disbelief.”
  • Establishing friendships with other countries based on the terms of these countries. The Taliban condemns attacks on these new friends. 
  • “Standing shoulder to shoulder with America in the fight against terrorism.”
  • Killing Sunnis and ISIS-K supporters.
  • Supporting Iran and allegedly joining the “Axis of Resistance.”
  • Providing facilities to the UN and other international organizations in Afghanistan. Allowing employees of these organizations to drink alcohol, dance, and have mixed-gender gatherings. 
  • Collecting unlawful taxes and customs duties. 
  • Persuading people that forbidden items are, in fact, lawful, and vice versa.
  • Cooperating with foreign governments to train and equip their soldiers and police forces. 
  • Convincing people that they rule by religious law when they enforce secular, human-made punishments.
  • Allowing unlawful interest by banks.
  • Believing they are “modern” through their links with the international community.
  • Imitating and implementing foreign customs, such as respecting Iran’s national anthem, placing flowers on graves, and commemorating their leaders in a fashion similar to the West. 
  • Ruling against religiously mandated fighting in exchange for money from the West.
  • Selling Ayman al-Zawahiri to the Americans. 
  • Acting as spies for Pakistan and Iran. 
  • Adopting nationalism and ethnic identity.
  • Supporting candidates participating in foreign elections, sending congratulatory messages, and similar activities.
  • Participating in foreign conferences and meetings.
  • Cooperating with foreigners against ISIS-K.
  • Treating refugees according to international law and not religious law. 
  • Establishing consulates in foreign countries.
  • Gaining the appreciation and praise of the West.
  • Calling on foreign powers to halt the influence of ISIS-K.
  • Becoming a patriotic organization and allowing others to massacre Muslims outside of Afghanistan. 
  • Constructing elaborate buildings and amassing wealth for themselves.