Afghan teenager admits to plotting Daesh-inspired attack in Oklahoma

DUBAI: An 18-year-old Afghan national and US green card holder, Abdullah Haji Zada, has admitted to obtaining weapons and ammunition in a plot to carry out a Daesh-inspired terror attack on election day in Oklahoma, US authorities confirmed on Thursday.

According to court documents, Haji Zada and co-conspirator Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, acquired two AK-47-style rifles and 500 rounds of ammunition to carry out a terrorist attack on Election Day in November 2024, on behalf of Daesh, a designated foreign terrorist organisation.

Haji Zada was arrested in October 2024 alongside Tawhedi, The US Department of Justice confirmed his plea in a press release.

Haji Zada faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. As part of his plea agreement, he will be deported to Afghanistan after serving his sentence, forfeiting his lawful permanent resident status and waiving any right to appeal or seek asylum.

Tawhedi, still awaiting trial, faces charges of providing material support to Daesh and firearm-related terrorism crimes. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison for each count.

“The guilty plea underscores our commitment to thwarting terrorist threats and bringing perpetrators to justice,” Sue J Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division stated in the press statement.

The FBI’s Oklahoma City Joint Terrorism Task Force, in collaboration with multiple federal and local agencies, conducted the investigation.