By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan’s security forces have arrested an Afghan national accused of being a member of the Islamic State’s regional affiliate and planning attacks against police and security personnel, according to a confession statement released by authorities.

The suspect, identified as Amrullah, son of Syed Arif, from Markikhel in Khugayana district of Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, allegedly told investigators that he joined Daesh in 2020 after being recruited by his uncle, Hikmatullah, who he said had worked as a target killer for the militant group.

According to the statement, available on social media, Amrullah participated in several targeted killings in Afghanistan in 2021, including attacks on individuals described as informants for the United States and the former Afghan government. He claimed Daesh later acknowledged responsibility for the attacks through its Telegram channel.

The suspect said Daesh commanders subsequently ordered him to travel to Pakistan to carry out what he described as “jihad.”

He entered Pakistan through Spin Boldak in 2021 and initially settled in Kuchlak, Balochistan, before moving to Pabbi in Nowshera district because of heightened security.

According to the statement, he remained in contact with Daesh commanders in Afghanistan and a militant operative named Muhammad Nabi in Tirah, who allegedly provided instructions about potential targets.

After Nabi was arrested by Pakistani intelligence agencies, Amrullah said he assumed greater operational responsibility.

He told investigators that his commanders then ordered him to conduct surveillance on Pakistani police and security personnel and prepare attacks against them.

The suspect said he subsequently moved to Peshawar, selected a potential target and began preparations for an attack, but was arrested by Pakistani security forces before he could carry it out.

Pakistan has arrested several Afghan nationals in recent months over alleged involvement in militant attacks inside the country, according to Pakistani security authorities.

Pakistani officials have also identified dozens of suicide bombers involved in attacks in the country as Afghan nationals, alleging that they were facilitated by members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Islamabad says the arrests and investigations point to continued cross-border militant networks targeting Pakistan. Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities have repeatedly rejected allegations that its territory is being used to facilitate attacks against Pakistan.