Regional branch of the Islamic State active in Central and South Asia, primarily Afghanistan and Pakistan. Founded on 26 January 2015 by former Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan militants. Seeks to establish a caliphate in the historic Khorasan region. Responsible for numerous high-casualty attacks, including the 2021 Kabul airport attack and the 2024 Crocus City Hall attack. Currently led by Shahab al-Muhajir.
CRIMENET has extracted 70 linkages for this organization, including 39 cooperative ties across 19 organizations, 12 conflicts across 3 organizations, 19 other connections and footprints in 8 countries.
In January 2024, two ISIS–K attackers carried out twin suicide bombings in Kerman , Iran, during a procession mourning the US assassination of Quds Force leader Qasem Soleimani , killing 94
According to a UN report, up to 70 IS fighters arrived from Iraq and Syria to form the initial core of the group in Afghanistan.
radical student groups in Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan
In March 2024, four Tajik ISIS–K gunmen launched an attack on a concert hall in Krasnogorsk , Russia, with rifles and incendiaries, killing 145
wealthy individuals from Gulf countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia
According to a UN report, up to 70 IS fighters arrived from Iraq and Syria to form the initial core of the group in Afghanistan.
The report also stated that ISIS-K had recruited around 600 volunteers from Central Asia, mainly from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, with some remaining in their home countries
Foreign fighters from Pakistan and Uzbekistan are also known to be part of the group.