Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, an Afghan man who was arrested for plotting an Islamic State-inspired&nbsp; terror attack targeting US presidential election, had once worked with CIA, multiple American media outlets reported.

According to the reports, it is not clear if the 27-year old was radicalised before or after he came to the US after the American troop withdrawal from Afghanistan as Taliban took over the reins at the end of a bloody war of over 20 years.

US Elections: Afghan Man Arrested For Plotting US Election Day Attack

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Tawhedi reportedly worked as a security guard for the Central Intelligence Agency,&nbsp; and arrived in the US in September 2021.

He was arrested on Monday (Oct 7) from Oklahoma City for the terror plot&nbsp;inspired by the Islamic State group.

<h2>The US Election Day terror attack plot</h2>

According to US court documents, Tawhedi and other suspects including his juvenile brother-in-law planned a shooting attack on large gatherings during Election Day, November 5, when Donald Trump and Kamala Harris will fight for the White House.

The conspirators sold their home and belongings and bought firearms to carry out the attack, including two AK-47 rifles which they got just before their arrest, said the documents unsealed on Tuesday (Oct 8).

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/openai-says-cybercriminals-using-chatgpt-to-influence-us-elections-766330">Also read: OpenAI says cybercriminals using ChatGPT to influence US elections</a> 
 
Tawhedi reportedly searched online for access to surveillance and security cameras in the US capital Washington DC. In July, he checked webcams that show the White House and the Washington Monument. He also looked for states in the US where gun laws were relaxed.

He told the investigators the plotters expected to achieve martyrdom,&nbsp;said the court documents.

Tawhedi, who is currently in custody, had accessed ISIS propaganda and send money to a charity run by the terror group.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-says-his-youngest-daughter-tiffany-is-pregnant-766509">Also read: Donald Trump says his youngest daughter Tiffany is pregnant</a>

He entered the US under the so-called humanitarian parole route and later applied for a Special Immigrant Visa, which is given to&nbsp;those who worked with US forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Tawhedi is expected to appear for a hearing on October 17.

On Thursday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Afghan nationals who entered the US were screened and vetted by intelligence, law enforcement and counterterrorism professionals.

"With every new information that emerges that if that individual could pose a threat to public safety, we take immediate action," she added, without answering specific questions about the terror plot.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, an Afghan man who was arrested for plotting an Islamic State-inspired terror attack targeting US presidential election, had once worked with CIA, multiple American media outlets reported.

Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, an Afghan man who was arrested for plotting an Islamic State-inspired terror attack targeting US presidential election, had once worked with CIA, multiple American media outlets reported. According to the reports, it is not clear if the 27-year old was radicalised before or after he came to the US after the American troop withdrawal from Afghanistan as Taliban took over the reins at the end of a bloody war of over 20 years. US Elections: Afghan Man Arrested For Plotting US Election Day Attack × Tawhedi reportedly worked as a security guard for the Central Intelligence Agency, and arrived in the US in September 2021. He was arrested on Monday (Oct 7) from Oklahoma City for the terror plot inspired by the Islamic State group. The US Election Day terror attack plot According to US court documents, Tawhedi and other suspects including his juvenile brother-in-law planned a shooting attack on large gatherings during Election Day, November 5, when Donald Trump and Kamala Harris will fight for the White House. The conspirators sold their home and belongings and bought firearms to carry out the attack, including two AK-47 rifles which they got just before their arrest, said the documents unsealed on Tuesday (Oct 8). Also read: OpenAI says cybercriminals using ChatGPT to influence US elections Tawhedi reportedly searched online for access to surveillance and security cameras in the US capital Washington DC. In July, he checked webcams that show the White House and the Washington Monument. He also looked for states in the US where gun laws were relaxed. He told the investigators the plotters expected to achieve martyrdom, said the court documents. Tawhedi, who is currently in custody, had accessed ISIS propaganda and send money to a charity run by the terror group. Also read: Donald Trump says his youngest daughter Tiffany is pregnant He entered the US under the so-called humanitarian parole route and later applied for a Special Immigrant Visa, which is given to those who worked with US forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. Tawhedi is expected to appear for a hearing on October 17. On Thursday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Afghan nationals who entered the US were screened and vetted by intelligence, law enforcement and counterterrorism professionals. "With every new information that emerges that if that individual could pose a threat to public safety, we take immediate action," she added, without answering specific questions about the terror plot. (With inputs from agencies)

US election terror attack plot: Afghan suspect Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi once worked with CIA - Reports

Recent reports reveal that President Joe Biden's administration has held secret talks with more countries than previously known in a desperate attempt to secure deals for temporarily housing at-risk Afghans working for the US government.&nbsp;

Seeing the Taliban's advances as a threat to those still awaiting Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), Washington is looking for third countries to host them until their paperwork is completed and they can come to the United States, as per a Reuter's report.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-ban-covid-19-vaccine-in-eastern-afghanistans-paktia-province-report-405235" hreflang="en">Taliban ban COVID-19 vaccine in Eastern Afghanistan's Paktia province: Report</a>

An official in the know says that an agreement to house about 8,000 Afghans in Qatar, a country that has a large US military base, has been close for weeks, but no official announcement has been made.

Afghanistan nationals who served as interpreters and/or performed other jobs,&nbsp;for the US government, can apply to the SIV program.

So far, approximately 1,200 Afghans have been evacuated to the United States under "Operation Allies Refuge" with an additional 3,500 expected in the coming weeks. Some Afghans will be taken to a US military base in Virginia for paperwork and some will go directly to US hosts.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-nato-eu-un-confirm-they-will-not-recognise-govt-formed-through-military-405223" hreflang="en">Afghanistan: NATO, EU, UN confirm they will not recognise govt formed through military</a>

Taking into account the Taliban's rapid advance in Afghanistan, the United States has decided to send around 1,000 personnel to Qatar to expedite the processing of SIVs.

Countries hesitant

As per two US officials, who wanted to stay anonymous, concerns surround the quality of security vetting and health screening in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> process before the Afghans could fly, resulting in some countries hesitating to accept the Afghans.

The Biden administration explored having Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan accept thousands of applicants, but that effort has so far proved ineffective.

"There's concerns that you might expect: 'Who are these people? How do you know these people? Can you assure that these people will get visas to the United States? Who's going to care for and feed these people. What happens if these people wander off this facility you've got them in?" a senior State Department official said.

After encountering reluctance from some countries, the US has turned to others who might be willing to help, in exchange for assistance.

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For taking in several thousand Afghans, the United States has offered concessions to Kosovo in economic and political terms, but officials are concerned about the country's capacity to house the new arrivals.

The 1,200 Afghans evacuated represent less than 1 per cent of the 21,000 people on the SIV pipeline, and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Biden</a> administration has been struggling to find temporary housing for the evacuees.

When family members are counted, advocates estimate that 50,000 and 80,000 people will be evacuated under the SIV program.

(With inputs from agencies)

Recent reports reveal that President Joe Biden's administration has held secret talks with more countries than previously known in a desperate attempt to secure deals for temporarily housing at-risk Afghans working for the US government.

Recent reports reveal that President Joe Biden's administration has held secret talks with more countries than previously known in a desperate attempt to secure deals for temporarily housing at-risk Afghans working for the US government. Seeing the Taliban's advances as a threat to those still awaiting Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), Washington is looking for third countries to host them until their paperwork is completed and they can come to the United States, as per a Reuter's report. Also read | Taliban ban COVID-19 vaccine in Eastern Afghanistan's Paktia province: Report An official in the know says that an agreement to house about 8,000 Afghans in Qatar, a country that has a large US military base, has been close for weeks, but no official announcement has been made. Afghanistan nationals who served as interpreters and/or performed other jobs, for the US government, can apply to the SIV program. So far, approximately 1,200 Afghans have been evacuated to the United States under "Operation Allies Refuge" with an additional 3,500 expected in the coming weeks. Some Afghans will be taken to a US military base in Virginia for paperwork and some will go directly to US hosts. Also read | Afghanistan: NATO, EU, UN confirm they will not recognise govt formed through military Taking into account the Taliban's rapid advance in Afghanistan, the United States has decided to send around 1,000 personnel to Qatar to expedite the processing of SIVs. Countries hesitant As per two US officials, who wanted to stay anonymous, concerns surround the quality of security vetting and health screening in the COVID-19 process before the Afghans could fly, resulting in some countries hesitating to accept the Afghans. The Biden administration explored having Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan accept thousands of applicants, but that effort has so far proved ineffective. "There's concerns that you might expect: 'Who are these people? How do you know these people? Can you assure that these people will get visas to the United States? Who's going to care for and feed these people. What happens if these people wander off this facility you've got them in?" a senior State Department official said. After encountering reluctance from some countries, the US has turned to others who might be willing to help, in exchange for assistance. For taking in several thousand Afghans, the United States has offered concessions to Kosovo in economic and political terms, but officials are concerned about the country's capacity to house the new arrivals. The 1,200 Afghans evacuated represent less than 1 per cent of the 21,000 people on the SIV pipeline, and the Biden administration has been struggling to find temporary housing for the evacuees. When family members are counted, advocates estimate that 50,000 and 80,000 people will be evacuated under the SIV program. (With inputs from agencies)

Seeking asylum for SIV applicants: A desperate bid by the Biden administration

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US election terror attack plot: Afghan suspect Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi once worked with CIA - Reports

Seeking asylum for SIV applicants: A desperate bid by the Biden administration