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ISIS Khorasan branch new leader is Pak-based Haqqani Network terrorist, claims Afghanistan Minister

Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 07 Aug 2020

ISIS Khorasan branch new leader is Pak-based Haqqani Network terrorist, claims Afghanistan Minister

Kabul: An Afghanistan minister has claimed that the new leader of ISIS Khorasan branch in the country is a Pakistan-based Haqqani Network terrorist.

He alleged that the Haqani and the Taliban carry out their terrorism on a daily basis across Afghanistan and when their terrorist activities does not suit them politically they rebrand it under ISKP.

Speaking on the new ISIS leader Shahab Almahajir, Afghanistan acting interior minister Masoud Andrabi tweeted: "Shahab Almahajir, the newly appointed leader of Islamic State of Khorasan Province-ISKP is a Haqani member. Haqani & the Taliban carry out their terrorism on a daily basis across Afg & when their terrorist activities does not suit them politically they rebrand it under ISKP."

The Afghan intelligence agency- the National Directorate of Security (NDS)- on Saturday said its members have killed ISIS Khorasan branch intelligence chief, media reports said.

He has been identified as Assadullah Orakzai.

The NDS told TOLO News that the ISIS commander was killed during an operation near Jalalabad city, the center of Nangarhar province.

“The Special Units of the National Directorate of Security NDS have eliminated Ziaurrahman known as Assadullah Orakzai, the native of Akhel Orakzai agency of Pakistan during a targeted operation,”  the NDS said in a statement as reported by Tolo News.

The ISIS leader is reportedly a Pakistan-origin terrorist.