Afghan Man Arrested by FBI in Plot to Carry Out Terror Attack on Election Day

The FBI has stopped a significant terrorist plot planned for the upcoming 2024 U.S. Election Day. Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, a 27-year-old Afghan national living in Oklahoma, was arrested for planning an ISIS-inspired attack aimed at large crowds during the election. Tawhedi, who arrived in the U.S. in 2021 through a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, had been making preparations for weeks, including obtaining weapons and arranging to send his family back to Afghanistan before the attack.

Driven by ISIS propaganda, Tawhedi was taken into custody on October 7 after acquiring two AK-47 rifles from undercover FBI agents. He expressed intentions of himself and an underage accomplice, his brother-in-law, to sacrifice their lives as martyrs during the Election Day assault.

BREAKING: Election Day ISIS terror plot results in arrest of Afghan national living in Oklahoma City!

“The Justice Department today announced charges against a citizen of Afghanistan residing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for conspiring to conduct an Election Day terrorist attack…

— Snarkio 🇺🇸 (@Snarkio_) October 8, 2024

This incident occurs amidst heightened concerns regarding potential extremist violence linked to the tumultuous 2024 election period. FBI Director Christopher Wray highlighted the increasingly intricate threats facing the country.

Tawhedi’s radicalization was influenced by ISIS propaganda extolling martyrdom. Recently, he had taken steps to liquidate his family’s assets and purchase one-way tickets for his wife and child to go back to Afghanistan. The FBI got wind of Tawhedi’s actions when he advertised personal items for sale on Facebook. An informant engaged with Tawhedi in response to the ad, leading to his arrest.

Election Day terror plot foiled by the FBI.

This is why you should vote early. pic.twitter.com/aCqGPf5WRO

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) October 8, 2024

Legal documents disclosed that Tawhedi intended to execute the attack in Oklahoma, where he resided. Nevertheless, he had also been surveilling landmarks like the White House and Washington Monument via online webcams, hinting that his list of targets could have been broader. The juvenile accomplice was also taken into custody but has not been publicly identified due to being a minor.

This case underscores the persistent threat of terrorism in the U.S., despite the recent spotlight on domestic extremism. The FBI stays alert, with Director Wray emphasizing that counterterrorism remains the agency’s top priority. The arrest also raises questions about the SIV program, which expanded following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, allowing Tawhedi to lawfully enter the country as he had reportedly aided U.S. forces during the Afghan war.

With Election Day approaching, concerns about violence are escalating. In a joint intelligence bulletin, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security cautioned about potential threats, especially from foreign and domestic extremists who may aim to exploit the election for violent means. This alert coincides with mounting tensions both internally and globally, with the conflict in the Middle East fueling jihadist sentiments and ongoing political rifts in the U.S..

Tawhedi now faces federal charges for attempting to provide support to ISIS, an offense punishable by up to 20 years in prison. It remains uncertain if he has legal representation, as no attorney has publicly come forward on his behalf. The prompt action by the FBI likely prevented a catastrophic terrorist attack that could have resulted in significant loss of life.