Wilayat Khorasan (Islamic State in Afghanistan, Pakistan region) have released a new 16 minute video entitled “Battle of the Good Opening” Which follows on from still images released earlier showing attacks on the Afghan army. Parts of the video appears to correspond with information from September 30th 2015 which details 3 attacks on barracks in Adal Khel (Asheen- Nangarhar) see following link,
“Afghanistan:Islamic State allege capturing 3 posts in Nangarhar and killing dozens of military”
Stills from Wilayat Khorasan video
The video in Pashto starts off with a group of militants video at a masjid where they are praying before launching attack. Later, a hilltop checkpoint comes under what appears to be a night time rocket attack. IS militants are then seen in a dawn raid overrunning the post. There are a number of uniformed and bloodied bodies on the ground, one headless. Several small fires burn within the compound including on charpoys (string beds). IS fighters are seen carrying away their war booty and some are viewed at prayer.
IS fighters make several points, saying that the things said about them are all lies. They criticise Pakistan and Afghan militia and curse them saying that they are one and Torkham Border is discussed. IS say they have raised war against those who do not accept Khilafa (Caliphate) and Khilafa has come and now it should be accepted. IS fighter claims he and his group are not Pakistani supported, not funded or aided by ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence)
The video footage and recent photographs posted by IS are in sharp contrast to a strange statement which appeared in Dawn media (Pakistan). Firstly the article highlighted the capture of an alleged IS “recruiter” from the Badaber area of Peshawar by police, stating
“the suspect arrested, Dadullah, belongs to Afghanistan, and was recruiting for an international militant organisation,” said SSP Operation Mian Saeed”
but surprisingly went on to state,
“disgruntled former Taliban commanders have formed the so-called Khorasan chapter — an umbrella IS group covering Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and other South Asian countries — in recent months but have not been involved in any fighting.”
http://www.dawn.com/news/1218553
Recent “graduation” of IS recruits
This is a rather odd remark given that IS have released regular statements detailing their attacks and also photos of militants “graduating” from a training facility in Waziristan named after deceased Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) leader Hakimullah Mehsud. Either the journalist has not done his research or material is being blocked and he is not allowed to report due to restrictions from PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority). See following link,
“Afghanistan, Pakistan: Further images emerge of Wilyat Khorasan graduates in the name of the Hakimullah Mehsud training centre”
There is also a recent photo release showing the spoils of war, see below,
“Wilayat Khorasan post images, alleged spoils of war from attack on army barracks, Lachin, Nangarhar”
The video comes at a time of increased fighting between Taliban groups those loyal to Mullah Mansour and those following Mullah Rasool and also between Taliban and IS. There are also allegations and counter allegations regarding the fate of civilians. Yahoo News reported,
“‘the Daesh insurgents abducted seven innocent civilians (Hazara ethnic group) from Ghazni province one month ago and beheaded them Saturday night in Arghandab district of Zabul province. Their dead bodies have been carried to Shah Joi district hospital,’ southern Zabul province police chief Mir Wais Noorzai told Xinhua news agency.”
Pajhwok stated,
“Provincial police chief Asadullah Kakar said the Taliban hanged the Uzbek fighters (allegedly part of IS) for beheading seven civilians from Jaghori district of Ghazni province.” (see “Links” section for more details)
Some media reported the deaths of 2 children, one alleged to be a 9 year old girl but this could not be independently verified.
A recent attack in Karachi appears to be linked to IS. An account associated with the group tweeted,
1 Ansar brother of The Islamic State Khurasan carried out attack on Rawafiz and there GOD “HORSE” which is named “Zuljinah” in karachi
2* 1 Rafzi killed and 2 injured, he shouted out Takbeer ALLAhu Akbar, mujahid named Little Zarqavi who carried out attack today
http://www.dawn.com/news/1218583/three-hurt-in-attack-on-imambargah
Links
“Are IS gaining a foothold in AfPak?”
https://activist1.wordpress.com/2015/01/12/are-is-gaining-a-foothold-in-afpak-new-video-release-shows-some-allegiance-in-the-region/
“Islamic State: Graphic video released allegedly showing Taliban supporters tied with explosives and blown up”
https://activist1.wordpress.com/2015/08/10/afpak-islamic-state-khorasan-graphic-video-released-allegedly-showing-talibansupporters-members-tied-with-explosives-and-blown-up/
“IS in Afghanistan”
http://www.dawn.com/news/1210025/is-in-afghanistan
“Afghan Fighters Loyal to ISIS Beheaded 7 Hostages, Officials Say”
“Taliban hang 15 Daesh men who beheaded civilians”
More posts on IS can be found on the blog.
Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad . She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.
Carol Anne Grayson (Radical Sister) blog 