Afghan Intelligence Chief Says Daesh Uses Telegram, TikTok
Abdul Haq Wasiq said the platforms are used for communication, financing and ideological diversion, and that their operators do not cooperate with Kabul.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Terrorism
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Abdul Haq Wasiq, head of Afghanistan's General Directorate of Intelligence, said Daesh uses Telegram and TikTok to communicate, secure financial resources and promote ideological diversion. He made the remarks at the First SCO Plus Expert Dialogue on Security Issues in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Why it matters
Wasiq said technology companies operating the platforms do not cooperate with Afghanistan on countering Daesh activities, which he argued gives the group greater room to operate internationally. Daesh causes significant civilian casualties each year through its activities in different countries.
The remarks were delivered at a two-day forum attended by representatives from 24 countries and five international organisations. No figures on the volume of Daesh content or accounts on the platforms were disclosed.
The players
Abdul Haq Wasiq
Head of Afghanistan's General Directorate of Intelligence, who made the remarks at the Samarkand forum.
Daesh
The Islamic State group, a militant organisation that has carried out attacks in multiple countries.
The details
Wasiq said Afghanistan faces serious constraints in dismantling the technical capabilities the group uses on the platforms. He stated that technology companies and operators of Telegram and TikTok do not cooperate with Afghanistan on countering Daesh.
Timeline
November 5, 2026: First SCO Plus Expert Dialogue on Security Issues begins in Samarkand.
November 6, 2026: The dialogue concludes in Samarkand.
Legal Context
The remarks were made at the First SCO Plus Expert Dialogue on Security Issues, a multilateral forum for counterterrorism discussion among member and partner states. Afghanistan's concern centres on platform operators' non-cooperation, a recurring tension between national security agencies and social media companies.
Users of Telegram and TikTok in any country may encounter extremist recruitment or financing appeals on these platforms. The remarks highlight that platform moderation on terrorist content depends on operator cooperation with national authorities.
The takeaway
Platform operators' cooperation with security agencies remains a central variable in how far extremist groups can use mainstream messaging and video services. Readers tracking terrorism coverage can watch whether Telegram or TikTok respond publicly to the allegations.
Further reading
For related coverage, see the Terrorism section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ariana News.
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