What do we know about ISIS-K, the Taliban faction behind Moscow terror attack?

Moscow Terror Attack (Image: Reuters)

Gunmen in camouflage opened fire with automatic weapons at a concert hall near Moscow on Friday evening, killing at least 60 people and injuring 145, in an attack claimed by Islamic State militants.

This heinous act came just a few days after President Vladimir Putin solidified his hold on power with a carefully scripted electoral landslide in Russia.

The Islamic State affiliated to Afghanistan, known as Islamic State Khorasan Province, or ISIS-K, claimed credit for the deadly terrorist attack in Moscow on Friday.

Also Read: India stands in solidarity with Russia in this hour of grief, says PM Modi on Moscow terror attack

What is ISIS-K?

The ISIS-K was carved out in 2015 by a group of disgruntled Pakistani Taliban who later adopted a more aggressive interpretation of Islam. By 2021, the group's ranks had been reduced by nearly half, to 1,500-2,000 militants, because of American bombings and Afghan commando raids that also killed many of its leaders.

Not long after the Taliban overthrew the Afghan government that year, the group saw a remarkable rebirth.

In August 2021, as the US withdrew its forces from Afghanistan, ISIS-K executed a suicide attack at Kabul's international airport, killing up to 170 civilians and 13 American service members.

The incident made ISIS-K more prominent internationally and established it as a serious challenger to the Taliban's authority.

Since then, the Taliban have engaged in intense combat against ISIS-K in Afghanistan.

What are the previous ISIS-K attacks?

ISIS-K, or Islamic State in Khorasan province, has conducted numerous attacks primarily in Afghanistan. Including mosque bombings, assaulting the Russian embassy in Kabul, and a significant attack at Kabul's airport in 2021, causing civilian and military casualties, including American troops.

In September 2022, ISIS-K militants claimed responsibility for a deadly suicide bombing at the Russian embassy in Kabul.

Two years before that, in 2020, ISIS-K claimed responsibility for an explosion in Kerman, Iran, through their Telegram channel. They attacked a memorial to Maj Gen Qassim Suleimani, killing 84 people. They have previously targeted Iran, citing religious beliefs.

Why did ISIS -K attacked Russia? 

Earlier this month, the US intelligence received inputs about a planned terrorist assault in Moscow, which could target mass gatherings such as concerts, prompting the state department to issue a public advisory to Americans in Russia.

The US government also communicated this intelligence with Russian authorities following its long-standing "responsibility to warn" policy.

The strike marks a significant escalation in ISIS-K operations, highlighting the group's hostility towards Russia and President Vladimir Putin.

Possible reasons behind Russia being a target for ISIS-K include Russian President Vladimir Putin's military activities in the Middle East, particularly in Syria, according to reports.

Putin sent Russian forces to back Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime, with the specific goal of combating ISIS and other extremists. This strategy, meant to keep Assad in power and assert Russian influence in the region, directly contradicted objectives and territories of the Islamic State.

As a result of its involvement in the fight against ISIS in Syria, ISIS-K may have been more motivated to target Russia, considering it as a direct foe owing to its operations in the Middle East.

Also Read| Moscow terror strike: Gunmen kill over 60 at concert hall, Islamic State claims responsibility