KABUL: In a significant development, Sanaullah Ghafari, a notorious and highly dangerous terrorist and ISKP chief, who orchestrated numerous militant attacks in Pakistan and various other countries, has been killed in Afghanistan.
Ghafari, commonly known as Shahab al-Muhajir, had been at the helm of the ISIS-Khorasan operations since 2020, establishing himself as a formidable threat. The United States had placed a high priority on his capture and offered a substantial reward of up to $10 million for any information leading to his arrest.
The demise of Ghafari took place in the northeastern province of Kunar, Afghanistan, adding to the enigma surrounding his end. His family had relocated to Afghanistan from India, and he had pursued his education at the Ghafari seminary located in Kabul.
Throughout his extremist career, Ghafari had been actively involved in carrying out attacks in various nations, including Iran, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan. Recognizing the grave threat he posed, the United Nations, the United States, and the European Union designated him as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) in December 2021.
Among his heinous acts, Ghafari played a key role in the assault on the Pakistani embassy in Kabul, as well as the attack on the revered Imam Bargar Qisa Khawani Bazar in Peshawar. Additionally, during his time in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, he orchestrated multiple rocket attacks, further destabilizing the region.
Furthermore, Ghafari’s involvement in the infamous terrorist attack on Kabul airport on August 26, 2021, cannot be overlooked. This attack resulted in significant casualties and added to the already devastating toll inflicted by his reign of terror.
