An Afghan national living in Oklahoma, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, was arrested for conspiring to carry out a terrorist attack on Election Day on behalf of ISIS. Tawhedi, 27, was charged with conspiracy, attempting to provide material support to ISIS, and obtaining firearms and ammunition for the attack. He planned to target large gatherings and intended to die as a martyr along with a juvenile co-conspirator. Tawhedi made efforts to liquidate his family’s assets, resettle them in Afghanistan, and obtain AK-47 assault rifles. The arrest comes amid concerns of political violence surrounding the upcoming election.
President Biden expressed confidence in a free and fair election but was less certain about its peacefulness. The arrest was utilized by the Trump campaign to criticize the Biden administration on immigration policies. Tawhedi entered the U.S. on a special immigrant visa in September 2021, a month after the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan. Governor Kevin Stitt praised the information-sharing measures between law enforcement agencies for thwarting the plot.
The U.S. continues to combat the threat posed by ISIS, with recent arrests of individuals with potential links to the terrorist group and military operations targeting ISIS fighters. As the country remains vigilant against terrorist threats, Tawhedi’s arrest serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to protect national security and prevent violent attacks against Americans.
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