Afghan Biographies

Ghafari, Sanaullah


Name Ghafari, Sanaullah
Ethnic backgr. Pashtun
Date of birth
Function/Grade ISIS-Khorasan (IS-K) Head Afghanistan
History and Biodata


3. Biodata:
According to Washington, Sanaullah Ghafari -- aka Shahab al-Muhajir -- was appointed head of ISIS-K in June 2020 by the ISIS group. ISIS-K is the Afghan offshoot of ISIS, which originated in Iraq and Syria. Little is known about Ghafari, although his nom de guerre suggests he arrived in the region from the Arab world. He is rumored to have been an Al-Qaeda commander or a former member of the Haqqani network, one of the most powerful and feared factions in the Taliban.


ISIS-K has been responsible for some of the deadliest attacks in the region in recent years, massacring civilians in Afghanistan and Pakistan, at mosques, shrines, public squares and hospitals. The group has especially targeted Muslims from sects it considers heretical, including Shiites -- much like the original ISIS group.
 

The 10 Mio US$ reward offered by the US State Department was also for any information that would aid in arresting or convicting those responsible for the "terrorist attack at the Kabul airport" on August 26, which was claimed by the ISIS-Khorasan (IS-K). The attack, which killed more than 100 people including 13 American soldiers, was launched as the United States orchestrated its chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and the evacuation of Afghans deemed under threat by the Taliban's takeover.(20220208).

Sanaullah Ghafari has been the leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant - Khorasan (ISIL-K) (QDe.161) since June 2020. He was appointed by the ISIL core to lead ISIL-K. He is responsible for approving all ISIL-K operations throughout Afghanistan and arranging funding to conduct operations. He has masterminded terrorist attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan. As the leader of ISIL-K, he has been responsible for multiple terrorist attacks resulting in hundreds of deaths in 2021. Attack methodology includes assassinations and IED attacks.
 

Last Modified 2022-02-08
Established 2022-02-08