Afghan National Arrested for Allegedly Planning Election Day Attack

Arrest of Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi

Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, a 27-year-old Afghan national who entered the US following the withdrawal of the Biden-Harris administration from Afghanistan, has been arrested. He is accused of planning a mass murder on Election Day in the name of the Islamic State. Tawhedi, who had been residing in Oklahoma, was apprehended after he went to a ranch to collect two AK-47 rifles, 10 magazines, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition that he had bought from an undercover FBI informant. Tawhedi is also suspected of recruiting a minor to assist him in his plot.

Alleged Plot and Evidence

The Department of Justice (DOJ) stated that Tawhedi allegedly initiated steps to liquidate his family's assets, relocate his family members abroad, acquire AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition, and carry out a terrorist attack in the US. The federal criminal complaint does not specify the location where Tawhedi and his accomplice intended to execute their mass murder. However, after his arrest, Tawhedi revealed to investigators that the plan was to target a large gathering of people and that he and his accomplice anticipated dying in the attack.

Investigations and Findings

Investigators found that Tawhedi had conducted an online search on "how to access Washington DC cameras" on July 25. He had also viewed the White House and Washington Monument's webcams. Tawhedi is also accused of saving ISIS propaganda on his internet accounts, participating in pro-ISIS Telegram groups, and donating money to a charity that channels funds to ISIS. The DOJ's evidence against Tawhedi includes a video where he is seen with his daughter and another child, reading them a list of rewards that martyrs receive in the afterlife. Tawhedi stated that martyrs are exempted from the sufferings of the grave, placed in heaven, married to 72 virgins, and receive a crown full of jewels.

Remarks from the Attorney General

Attorney General Merrick Garland stated, "The Justice Department foiled the defendant’s plot to acquire semi-automatic weapons and commit a violent attack in the name of ISIS on U.S. soil on Election Day.”

Tawhedi's Entry into the US

Tawhedi entered the United States with a special immigrant visa on September 9, 2021, shortly after the US military completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan on August 30, 2021. This type of visa is usually granted to Afghans who had assisted US forces. At the time of his arrest, Tawhedi's immigration proceedings had not been fully adjudicated. Under questioning, Tawhedi revealed that he planned to move his family to Afghanistan to live according to pure Islam.

Initial Exposure to the FBI

Tawhedi's initial exposure to the FBI-orchestrated arms deal occurred after he listed a computer for sale. An FBI "confidential human source" showed interest and informed Tawhedi that he wanted the computer for a gun business he was starting. It remains to be seen whether Tawhedi was truly a self-motivated terrorist capable of preparing for an attack without FBI assistance, or if he is the latest in a series of individuals nudged along by the Feds and their informants.

Bottom Line

The arrest of Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi for allegedly planning a mass murder on Election Day raises several questions about national security, immigration policies, and the role of law enforcement agencies in preventing terrorist attacks. It prompts us to consider how well-equipped the US is to deal with such threats, especially in the wake of recent events in Afghanistan. What are your thoughts on this matter? Feel free to share this article with your friends and engage in a discussion. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.