Afghan national arrested, accused of planning ISIS attack on Election Day

Summary

An Afghan national named Nasir Tawhedi, who entered the U.S. on a special immigrant visa shortly after the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, has been charged with plotting a terrorist attack on behalf of ISIS. The Department of Justice stated that the planned attack was set for Election Day, targeting large gatherings. Tawhedi, along with a juvenile, intended to die as martyrs. The case raises concerns about national security, with former ICE Director Tom Homan warning about the risks associated with the current administration's border policies. Tawhedi faces up to 35 years in prison if convicted.

Takeaways

• 🛑 Afghan national accused of plotting a terrorist attack on behalf of ISIS is in custody.
• 🔍 The suspect entered the U.S. on a special immigrant visa following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
• ⚠️ The FBI had warned of potential risks of terrorists entering through the U.S. southern border.
• 🚨 The suspect, Nasir Tawhedi, was planning an Election Day attack targeting large gatherings.
• 🔫 Tawhedi obtained weapons to carry out the attack and planned to die as a martyr.
• 📅 The planned attack was specifically aimed at Election Day in the U.S.
• 👤 A juvenile was involved in the plot alongside Tawhedi.
• 💼 Former ICE Director Tom Homan raised concerns about other potential threats due to border security issues.
• 👥 Intelligence efforts caught Tawhedi through online chatter, but experts warn the system is not foolproof.
• ⚖️ If convicted, Tawhedi could face up to 35 years in prison.

Q & A

Who is the suspect mentioned in the news report?

The suspect is Nasir Tawhedi, an Afghan citizen living in Oklahoma, who is accused of plotting a terrorist attack on behalf of ISIS.

How did Nasir Tawhedi enter the United States?

Nasir Tawhedi entered the U.S. on a Special Immigrant Visa in September 2021, shortly after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

What was the planned attack that Nasir Tawhedi is accused of?

Nasir Tawhedi is accused of planning a terrorist attack for Election Day, targeting large gatherings of people, and intended to die as a martyr along with a juvenile accomplice.

What potential threat did the FBI warn about in the news report?

The FBI warned that the open southern border and the flow of illegal aliens into the U.S. pose a risk, as potential terrorists might be entering the country.

What are the potential consequences if Nasir Tawhedi is convicted?

If convicted, Nasir Tawhedi faces up to 35 years in prison.

What concerns were raised by Tom Homan, the former Acting ICE Director?

Tom Homan expressed concern that the lack of security at the southern border could allow more terrorists to enter the U.S. undetected, suggesting that there may be others like Tawhedi plotting attacks.

What specific event was the terrorist attack planned to coincide with?

The planned terrorist attack was intended to take place on Election Day.

What role did the juvenile play in the planned attack?

The juvenile was expected to participate in the planned Election Day attack alongside Nasir Tawhedi, with both intending to die as martyrs.

What concerns does the report raise about U.S. border security?

The report raises concerns that the lack of border security, especially at the southern border, could lead to more terrorists entering the U.S. and planning attacks, similar to Nasir Tawhedi.

What intelligence challenges were mentioned in the news report?

The news report mentioned that the intelligence community is not perfect and may miss some threats, even though they were able to catch Nasir Tawhedi through intelligence chatter.