FBI Foils Potential Election Day Terror Attack Planned by Afghan National

In a significant counter-terrorism operation, the U.S. Department of Justice has taken into custody an Afghan man, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, aged 27, who is accused of plotting a violent attack on Election Day in support of the Islamic State group. Residing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Tawhedi is alleged to have made extensive preparations for this attack, raising serious concerns about domestic security.

FBI Director Christopher Wray announced the arrest, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. “This defendant, motivated by ISIS, allegedly conspired to commit a violent attack on Election Day, here on our homeland,” Wray stated. The Justice Department has charged Tawhedi with multiple offenses, including providing support to a foreign terrorist organization and attempting to obtain firearms for an act of terrorism.

Investigators have uncovered that Tawhedi was not acting alone; he reportedly collaborated with an unnamed juvenile relative, also a citizen of Afghanistan. This relative is believed to have been influenced by Islamic State propaganda accessed through the internet, as evidenced by records obtained by law enforcement. Authorities are particularly concerned that Tawhedi had also contributed to a charity linked to IS, highlighting the insidious ways these groups exploit legitimate organizations for funding.

Tawhedi’s intentions became clearer through federal investigators’ findings, which described how he was actively searching for surveillance cameras in Washington D.C., and researching states with lenient gun laws. Law enforcement agents discovered that he sought to acquire AK-47 assault rifles to execute the attack. Undercover FBI operatives were involved in a sting operation where Tawhedi was caught attempting to purchase firearms and ammunition.

In the aftermath of his arrest, Tawhedi reportedly admitted to planning an attack targeting gatherings of large crowds on Election Day and expressed a willingness to die in the process. This chilling revelation underscores the urgent need for vigilance in safeguarding national security.

Having arrived in the U.S. in September 2021 on a special immigrant visa, Tawhedi moved with his wife and young child to Oklahoma City, where he made plans that would threaten public safety. As the investigation unfolds, questions remain regarding his legal representation and the full extent of his connections to terrorist groups.

Authorities, including Attorney General Merrick Garland, reaffirmed their commitment to combat the persistent threat posed by ISIS and similar organizations, promising to pursue and prosecute those who seek to do harm to the American populace. As citizens mark Election Day, this thwarted plot serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced in the realm of national security.