ISIS Khorasan Claims Responsibility for Assassination of Taliban Official in Badakhshan

The Islamic State’s Khorasan group has claimed responsibility for the assassination of Zabihullah Amiri, the head of the Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture in Badakhshan province. Amiri, along with his bodyguard, was shot by armed individuals near Fayzabad, resulting in his death.

IS Claims Responsibility for Taliban Official’s Murder

The Khorasan branch of the Islamic State has officially stated that it carried out the attack that led to the death of Zabihullah Amiri, a senior official in the Taliban government, in Badakhshan province. In its statement, the group claimed that its members targeted this high-ranking local official near Fayzabad using automatic weapons.

Details of the Incident and Casualties

According to local reports, Zabihullah Amiri was en route to the provincial capital, Fayzabad, when he was attacked by two armed assailants on a motorcycle. As a result of this gunfire, Amiri, along with one of his bodyguards, was killed instantly.

Pursuit of Attackers and Arrest of Perpetrator

Following the assassination, Taliban security forces immediately began to pursue the fleeing attackers. During the ensuing confrontation between Taliban forces and the armed assailants, one of the attackers was killed, while the second was wounded and captured by Taliban forces.

Statistics on ISIS Khorasan Activity in the Region

Statistical reports indicate that since the beginning of 2026, the ISIS Khorasan group has executed at least 25 terrorist attacks across Afghanistan and Pakistan, with 22 occurring in Pakistan and three in Afghanistan. Notably, of the three attacks carried out in Afghanistan this year, two were specifically organized and executed in Badakhshan province.