SECURITY — July 30, 2026
ISKP Claims Killing of Taliban Information Director in Badakhshan
The attack took place on Tuesday when two gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire; guards killed one assailant and captured the second.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Khaama Press — 2 min read
Zabihullah Amiri, the Taliban-appointed director of information and culture in Badakhshan province, was killed along with one of his guards in an attack on the road between Faizabad and Baharak.
The Islamic State Khorasan Province group claimed responsibility for the Tuesday attack carried out by two armed men on a motorcycle. Provincial authorities said Amiri's guards returned fire, killing one attacker and capturing the other. The province borders Tajikistan, China and Pakistan. ISKP previously claimed a June 2023 car bombing in Faizabad that killed the province's deputy governor.
Read the original reporting at Khaama Press →
Reliability assessment
Single source provides direct on-record attribution from Afghan Information Ministry, provincial police, and ISKP statement via SITE monitoring group with specific details on victim, location, date and sequence of events
The source language mixes facts with framing or advocacy wording. Khaama Press: "The killing is significant", "highlights the continuing threat posed by ISKP", "could put additional pressure on Taliban authorities" — these phrases add interpretive weight and imply broader political consequences beyond neutral reporting of events.
Independent web corroboration
A separate web search returned 8 matching reports. A selection:
- IS claims killing of Taliban official in Afghanistanmanilatimes.net
The head of the information and culture department in Badakhshan, Zabihullah Amiri, was shot dead Tuesday while en route to the provincial capital Faizabad.
In a statement, the ministry said Zabihullah Amiri, the director of information and culture for Badakhshan province, was attacked by two armed men while returning from Baharak district to the provincial capital, Fayzabad city.
Gunmen have killed a high-ranking local Taliban official in Afghanistan's Badakhshan province. The country's Information Ministry said Tuesday that two gunmen shot Zabihullah Amiri, the Badakhshan director of information and culture.
Across the newsrooms
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Khaama Press
Originating
Framed
Framed
Filed under
Security — ISKP, Badakhshan, Taliban, Zabihullah Amiri, Faizabad
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