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Weekly Analyst Review

12 October 2022

 

Bottom Line Up Front

On 05 October 2022, suspected Islamic State Khurasan (ISK) militants detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) targeting a mosque on the Ministry of Interior Grounds in Kabul, Afghanistan. The bombing killed at least 4 and injured over other 40 injured, although some rumors put the number at over 100 people killed or injured. 


Taliban Ministry of Internal Affairs staff, as well as a number of high-ranking members of the organization were at the mosque for prayer. The head of the Haqqani Networks, Minister of the Interior, Sirajuddin Haqqani, was allegedly present at the mosque when it was bombed and if so, he was likely the militants' primary target. 


This attack was certainly celebrated by Islamic State insiders, who have spoken about the infighting and “high levels” of mistrust between all levels of the Taliban (IEA) after the attack. The insiders also boasted that the bomber was able to pass through four Taliban security checkpoints. 


ISK militants have been highly active throughout various provinces in Afghanistan, and have focused on hitting the Taliban (IEA) were it hurts them the most - in other words, assassinating high ranking Taliban figures. Less than two weeks prior to this mosque attack, suspected Islamic State Khurasan (ISK) militants targeted the Wazir Muhammad Akbar Khan mosque, which is situated in a public area next to the Taliban Interior Ministry headquarters.

Other Developments

TRAC Insight:

American National Socialist Party (ANSP) Announce Plans to Attend The Aryan Freedom Network’s

“White Unity Conference” in Dallas, Texas, United States

Image: American National Socialist Party (ANSP) Poster

Recently, the American National Socialist Party made an announcement that the organization would be attending the Aryan Freedom Network's (AFN) White Unity Conference in Dallas, Texas on October 22nd, to show their support and give out information and material to anyone who asks.


The Aryan Freedom Network first announced their third annual “White Unity Conference” on 02 August 2022. It should be assumed that since before the announcement, they have been lining up speakers for the event, which is always held somewhere in Texas. Past speakers at this event include Ku Klux Klan (KKK) and The Shieldwall Network.


Instead of amplifying existent tensions between the ideological subdivisions like many pro-white groups, the Aryan Freedom Network strives to support white nationalism globally – including neo-Confederate, National Socialist, Ku Klux Klan, racist skinhead, and other white nationalist organizations and platforms. While the group specifically espouses Christian Identity ideals and theories, it maintains that any white-power activism is legitimate and that these groups must cooperate rather than fight amongst each other in order to ‘save’ the white race.

TRAC Incident Report:

Three Person Islamic State Kavkaz/ Qawqaz Cell Dismantled, Planned Hijrah to Africa After Bus Station Bombing

in Stavropol, Russia

Image: Screenshot from video from FSB raid.

On 07 October 2022, the FSB raided a safe house of a three-person IS cell in Stavropol. According to the authorities the group of two men and one woman were planning to bomb the Stavropol bus station. In the video footage, bomb components and explosive material were found as well as “means of secret communications,” which could indicate that they were communicating with an Islamic State external operations branch (better known as the Emni) handler. 


The Stavropol area is known for active Islamic State Kavkaz/ Qawqaz operations and thus, it is not unusual for the FSB to dismantle IS cells on a regular basis throughout the nation. What makes this apprehension unusual, this IS cell was planning on escaping to join Islamic State in "Africa." Though the specific nation is not mentioned, Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) has been sending out consistent propaganda messages that Nigeria is the new land of Hijrah and jihad. Additionally, FSB claims that the cell admitted to their plot and plans to escape by joining Islamic State in Africa.

TRAC Incident Report:

Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) Take Two Pakistani Military Personal Hostage, Demands Prisoners Swap with Military in Zardaalo, Harnai District, Balochistan, Pakistan

Image: Photos of two of the burned out Baeza trucks

On 05 October 2022, Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) published posters and statements regarding a recent operation where two Pakistani Military Personals were captured and detained. According to the statement by BLA, they were responsible for capturing Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), Kaleem Ullah and Military intelligence officer, Mohammad Faisal. According to the claim, both were captured in the BLA's "Special Tactical Operations Squad" (STOS) operation that was held on 25 September 2022 at around 9:00 pm local time.


In the BLA claim on 05 October 2022 that Baloch Liberation Army’s Senior Command Council proposed that the military could get their soldiers back by swapping of “Baloch political prisoners” with their officers who were captured and taken into custody. Futher, the BLA also reported that the captured officers made voluntary confessions, after which they were charged at Baloch national court. They also added that a lack of response will result in the execution of both captives.


It is important to note that this claim and kidnapping represents the first Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) hostage taking event and is an extreme escalation of BLA tactics.

On Our Radar:

 

TRAC Incident Report: Top Regional Leader of New People's Army (NPA), Romeo Nanta, Killed During Clashes with Soldiers, Medel, Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Island, Philippines

TRAC Incident Report: Gunshots Fired At Azerbaijani Embassy Vehicle in District of Columbia, Washington, DC 

TRAC Incident Report: The Anarchist Group 'Lupe la Camelina and the Unexpected Laura' Targeted the Police Station 'Ricardo Flores Magón' with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), Santa María La Rivera, Mexico City, Mexico

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