The FBI has revealed that ISIS-K was behind a thwarted terrorist plot targeting a mass shooting on Election Day in the U.S. The suspect, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, was apprehended in Oklahoma for planning to acquire two AK-47 rifles for the attack. Tawhedi, a former CIA security guard in Afghanistan, had connections with an individual linked to ISIS-K known as 'Malik'.
Authorities discovered Tawhedi's involvement with an ISIS-affiliated charity and his consumption of ISIS propaganda online. In a related development, a family member of Tawhedi was arrested in Paris for planning a separate attack, alongside two others.
Despite claims of thorough vetting, it was disclosed that Tawhedi did not undergo the final vetting process upon his entry into the U.S. in September 2021 following the Afghanistan withdrawal. The Department of Homeland Security's vetting procedures have come under scrutiny, with reports indicating lapses in the vetting of Afghan evacuees.
The DHS Inspector General Report highlighted deficiencies in the vetting process, citing inaccuracies and missing data in the information used for screening evacuees. The report also pointed out that recurrent vetting processes for paroled Afghan evacuees were not consistently implemented as claimed by DHS.
This revelation raises concerns about the effectiveness of vetting procedures for individuals entering the U.S. under humanitarian parole. The incident underscores the importance of robust vetting mechanisms to prevent potential security threats and ensure the safety of the country and its citizens.
