Kabul airport blasts – who are IS-K?
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The Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan – known as Islamic State Khorasan or IS-K – is the most extreme and violent of all the jihadist militant groups operating in the country
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ISLAMIC STATE KHORASAN (IS-K)

Origin: Formed by disaffected fighters from Pakistani Taliban, following creation in 2014 of caliphate in Iraq and Syria by so-called Islamic State group
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Leadership: Headed since Jun 2020 by Shahab al-Muhajir. IS-K founding
emir, Hafiz Saeed Khan (right), was killed in U.S. airstrike in 2016
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Strength: Around 1,500-2,000 fighters. IS-K is based in Nuristan, Kunar and Nangarhar provinces, with sleeper cells in Kabul and other provinces
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Picture of suicide bomber released by IS-Khorasan, Aug 26
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Attacks: IS-K blamed for some of worst atrocities in recent years, targeting girls’ schools, hospitals and even a maternity ward where pregnant women were killed
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Taliban links: Analysts believe IS-K has strong links to Haqqani network – militant group based in Pakistan – which in turn is closely linked to Taliban

But IS-K accuses Taliban of abandoning Jihad in favour of negotiated deal with U.S. over foreign troop withdrawals

Kabul 
AFGHANISTAN
PAKISTAN

Nuristan 
Kunar 
Nangarhar

Aug 26: At least 90 people, including 13 U.S. troops, killed in explosions near airport. IS-K claims responsibility

200km 125 miles
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Sources: Center for Strategic and International Studies, UN, Reuters
© GRAPHIC NEWS
Pictures: Newscom, IS propaganda image