The Afghan national charged with planning an Election Day terror attack in the United States was previously employed in a security role in Afghanistan by the CIA. Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, along with unnamed co-conspirators including his brother-in-law, took steps to carry out the attack, including selling their family home and belongings, relocating their family abroad, and purchasing firearms and ammunition. Tawhedi had traveled to the U.S. in September 2021 and was paroled into the country with a pending application for lawful permanent resident status based on an approved petition for a Special Immigrant Visa.
Special Immigrant Visas are offered to individuals who have worked with the U.S. armed forces or under chief of mission authority as translators or interpreters in Iraq or Afghanistan. Every Afghan being resettled in the U.S. goes through a rigorous screening and vetting process regardless of the U.S. government agency they worked with, including checking against relevant U.S. records and holdings. The CIA, where Tawhedi was previously employed, declined to comment on the case. Federal investigators allege that Tawhedi searched for access to surveillance and security cameras in Washington, D.C., and sought out places with more lenient gun laws before receiving two AK-47 rifles shortly before his arrest.
During an interview with investigators following his arrest, Tawhedi admitted to purchasing the weapons for an attack on Election Day to target large gatherings of people, anticipating that they would be martyred in the process. Tawhedi remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court for a detention hearing on October 17. The White House press secretary declined to comment specifically on the case but emphasized that every Afghan national entering the U.S. is screened and vetted by intelligence, law enforcement, and counterterrorism professionals. Immediate action is taken if an individual is deemed to pose a threat to public safety.
The case highlights the complexities of the immigration and security processes involved in resettling Afghan nationals in the U.S. following the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan. It underscores the importance of thorough screening and vetting procedures for individuals seeking entry into the country, particularly those with backgrounds in sensitive security roles. The fact that Tawhedi was able to access firearms and plan a potential terror attack raises concerns about gaps in the system and the need for continued vigilance in addressing security threats posed by individuals with extremist ideologies.
As the investigation into Tawhedi’s activities continues, there will likely be a focus on determining the extent of his connections to terrorist organizations such as ISIS and whether there are additional individuals involved in the plot. The case also raises questions about the effectiveness of counterterrorism measures in preventing attacks on U.S. soil and the ongoing challenges in monitoring and identifying potential threats. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by extremist groups and the need for constant vigilance and cooperation between intelligence agencies, law enforcement, and the public to prevent acts of terrorism.
