Jihadist group behind Moscow attack 

The Central Asian Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K) has emerged as the most dangerous offshoot of the Islamic State group, with a reputation for extreme brutality

Sanaullah Ghafari: Also known as Shahab al-Muhajir, ISIS-K leader since 2020 

Graduate of Kabul Polytechnic Institute. Trained in Pakistan by Taliban-affiliated Haqqani network

Believed to have escaped to Balochistan province of Pakistan after surviving Taliban attempt to kill him in Jun 2023

UZBEKISTAN
Caspian Sea
TURKMENISTAN
TAJIKISTAN
Tehran
Kabul
AFGHANISTAN
PAKISTAN
Kerman
INDIA
Arabian Sea
Greater Khorasan
Balochistan
1 2 3 

200km
125 miles

ISLAMIC STATE- KHORASAN
Named after historical area spanning parts of Iran, Afghanistan and other Central Asian countries

Established in 2014 by disaffected members of Pakistani Taliban

Waging insurgency against Taliban in Afghanistan, which it opposes on ideological grounds

Based mainly in north and east of Afghanistan. Estimated 4,000-6,000 fighters – 90 percent believed to be Tajiks and Uzbeks

Grievances against Moscow include brutal wars in Chechnya, intervention against ISIS in Syria, and Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979

MAJOR ISIS-K ATTACKS
1 2021: Attack on Kabul airport during chaotic U.S. evacuation kills 170 Afghans  and 13 U.S. troops

2 2022: Suicide bombing at Russian embassy in Kabul kills at least six people

3 Jan 2024: Double bombing of shrine in Kerman, Iran, kills nearly 100 people 

Mar 22: Attack at concert hall in Moscow  kills at least 139 people – ISIS-K claims  responsibility


Sources: BBC, Reuters, The Economist
Picture: Rewards for Justice
© GRAPHIC NEWS