ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities said on Friday that they had apprehended two alleged would-be suicide bombers linked to a regional affiliate of the Islamic State (IS) group known as Islamic State-Khorasan, or IS-K.
The provincial counterterrorism department said an “intelligence-based” operation had arrested the two men near Peshawar.
The statement said the alleged bombers are members of Daesh Khorasan and graduated from a training center for suicide bombers in the eastern Afghan border province of Paktia, according to Voice of America.
The statement added that the raid seized two suicide vests, several hand grenades, and a pistol. The suspects were planning to target regional politicians.
Group carries out attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan
IS-K routinely carries out and claims attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan, targeting civilians and security forces.
The US considers IS-K as a major danger to the security of the region and the whole globe. The US special envoy for Afghanistan once again expressed those concerns on Thursday.
The terrorist group whose intent and capabilities concern us the most in Afghanistan is the IS branch there, Islamic State Khorasan Province, Thomas West informed a congressional hearing in Washington.
He added that ISIS-K harbors clear intent to carry external attacks, and we monitor their capabilities and planning vigilantly.
IS-K has especially intensified its violent campaign in Afghanistan since the Taliban regained control of the conflict-hit nation in August 2021. It has targeted minority Shiite Muslims in Afghanistan and the Taliban, killing hundreds of people over the past two years.
The Taliban claim their security forces had significantly weakened the group, and that it is no longer a threat in Afghanistan or beyond.
