TEXAS: An Afghan national arrested in Texas on terrorism charges, after allegedly threatening to detonate a bomb.
The suspect, identified as Mohammad Dawood Al-Kuqazai, was taken into custody by a joint operation involving the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The arrest followed the emergence of a video message in which Al-Kuqazai reportedly claimed he was constructing a bomb with the intent to target the Fort Worth area.
According to U.S. media reports, the threatening video was released just two days after a separate, high-profile security incident at the White House, prompting a swift and coordinated law enforcement response. The authorities have not disclosed what specific intelligence led them to Al-Kuqazai or if any explosive materials were found during the arrest.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the suspect’s background. Reports indicate that Mohammad Dawood Al-Kuqazai came to the United States under “Operation Allies Welcome,” the Biden administration’s initiative to evacuate and resettle Afghans following the Taliban takeover in 2021. This connection is likely to intensify ongoing political and national security debates surrounding the vetting processes for refugees and evacuees.
The FBI and Texas authorities have confirmed the arrest but have released limited additional details as the investigation is ongoing. The incident underscores the persistent threat of lone-wolf attacks and the challenges faced by federal and state agencies in monitoring and preempting potential acts of violence.
Meanwhile the Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has acknowledged growing visa challenges faced by Pakistanis seeking to travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other Gulf countries, attributing the restrictions partly to concerns raised by host governments over crime and trafficking networks involving some Pakistani nationals.
Dar said the government was actively engaging with Gulf authorities to address the issue.
The situation had escalated to such an extent at certain points that visa requests for even Pakistani officials and ministers had been denied. He described the development as deeply concerning but stressed that diplomatic efforts were under way to normalize the process.
