Oklahoma City, OK — Federal authorities have detained a man accused of plotting an ISIS-backed terrorist attack timed for Election Day in the United States. Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, a 27-year-old Afghan national, was arrested in Oklahoma City as he reportedly prepared to execute an attack aimed at causing mass casualties.
Tawhedi, who entered the U.S. in September 2021 shortly after American forces withdrew from Afghanistan, faces charges related to supporting ISIS. His initial court appearance happened Tuesday without a plea, and he remains in custody pending further legal proceedings. The details of the allegations against him emerged from a federal criminal complaint that was made public this week.
The investigation outlined a sinister plot involving Tawhedi and several co-conspirators, one of whom is identified as his juvenile brother-in-law. According to the complaint, they exhibited loyalty to ISIS and took concrete steps toward orchestrating the attack, including attempts to liquidate their assets, relocate their families abroad, and procure firearms along with ammunition.
Prosecutors have charged that Tawhedi and his accomplices endeavored to “stage a violent attack in the United States in the name of and on behalf of ISIS.” These plans took a more tangible form as Tawhedi reportedly amassed a small arsenal including two Kalashnikov rifles and 500 rounds of ammunition, as captured in communications on encrypted platforms.
The complaint further revealed Tawhedi’s activities around scouting potential targets and security setups by searching for information about surveillance systems in Washington, D.C., as well as accessing webcam feeds of significant landmarks such as the White House.
Federal investigators employed a combination of confidential informants and undercover agents who engaged with Tawhedi as he attempted to sell property and obtain weapons. One exchange highlighted Tawhedi questioning if his armament was sufficient for their plans, suggesting the gravity and imminence of their intentions.
Authorities moved quickly to intercept Tawhedi and his accomplices, leading to their arrest just as they took possession of the AK-47 rifles. Following his arrest, Tawhedi purportedly admitted the intent behind the weapons purchase was to execute an Election Day attack where they “expected to be martyred.”
The case has raised questions about Tawhedi’s immigration status. Initially believed to have entered the U.S. with a Special Immigrant Visa—a provision for those who have assisted U.S. forces as translators or interpreters—the State Department later indicated discrepancies in the record of his visa type, launching further interdepartmental reviews into his legal status at entry.
Top officials including FBI Director Christopher Wray and Attorney General Merrick Garland have affirmed their commitment to thwarting any terrorist threats. Statements from both highlighted the relentless efforts to safeguard national security against the enduring threats posed by ISIS and its proponents.
This incident underscores ongoing concerns voiced by national security officials who caution that the terrorism threat landscape is increasingly complex and fraught with new challenges, especially with ongoing conflicts affecting global security dynamics.
As the investigation continues, the broader implications of this foiled plot will likely resonate in upcoming policy discussions and preventative measures aimed at reinforcing the security apparatus against such extremist threats.