Expanding the caliphate’s reach. The Islamic State is making a concerted effort to establish a presence in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and to win over Taliban jihadis.
“‘Islamic State’ militants say attacked Pakistan-Afghan border post,” by Saud Mehsud, Reuters, September 13, 2015:
Pakistan militants who have pledged allegiance to Islamic State said on Sunday they had attacked a paramilitary checkpoint along the Afghan border, in the first such assault claimed by a former faction of the Taliban in several months.
A militant affiliated with the faction told Reuters the group attacked Damadola district of the Bajaur tribal area in Pakistan’s northwest, where the military has been battling a militant insurgency since 2007, late on Saturday.
“Our men destroyed the post, set it on fire and left it after our operation was complete,” he said by telephone.
Two Pakistani intelligence officials confirmed a checkpoint had been attacked, but there were no casualties….