Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, a 27-year-old Afghan citizen living in Oklahoma, has been arrested for plotting a terrorist attack inspired by the Islamic State on Election Day, November 5, 2024.

The FBI arrested Tawhedi alongside a juvenile accomplice after they attempted to purchase firearms and ammunition from undercover agents.

Concerns have been raised regarding the adequacy of vetting for Afghans evacuated during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, particularly in light of Tawhedi's case.

He has been charged with conspiring to provide material support to a terrorist organization, facing up to 20 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that Tawhedi's plan to acquire semi-automatic weapons for a violent attack was thwarted by law enforcement.

He communicated via Telegram with an individual identified by the FBI as an IS recruiter, discussing plans to acquire weapons and send his family back to Afghanistan.

Tawhedi's preparations included purchasing one-way tickets for his wife and child to return to Afghanistan, suggesting he intended to carry out the attack without concern for their safety.

Tawhedi, who entered the U.S. in 2021 on a special immigrant visa, had been making significant preparations for the attack, including ordering AK-47 rifles and liquidating family assets.

Investigators discovered communication on Tawhedi's phone with someone he believed to be affiliated with ISIS, indicating he was in contact with IS recruiters.

Tawhedi entered the U.S. on September 9, 2021, and is currently on parole pending immigration proceedings.

The arrest highlights rising concerns over potential extremist violence in the U.S., with FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasizing that terrorism remains a top priority for the agency.

The Justice Department announced details of the arrest on October 8, 2024, underscoring the urgency of addressing threats to the upcoming presidential election.