Afghan IS sets up radio station for fresh recruitment

Insurgents linked to the Islamic State militant group have launched an anti-government radio station in Afghanistan to promote the terror outfit's agenda and attract new recruits, local media reported.

The radio station "Voice of the Caliphate" broadcasts in Pashto through Nangarhar provincial capital Jalalabad and other districts, Nangarhar provincial council members, parliament members and residents confirmed to TOLONews on Sunday.

The broadcasting location was unknown but the provincial governor's spokesman Attaullah Khogyani has said that efforts were under way to get the station off air.
 

"This radio is broadcasting from across the border and we had talks and maybe we reach a good result and remove the station," Khogyani said.

 

The broadcast content includes anti-establishment messages calling on the youth to turn against the government and join the ranks of IS.

Nangarhar provincial council member Nasir Kamawal said: "It is clear they (IS) have their own radio and I think it was broadcasting... and doing too much anti-government propaganda."

Residents who have tuned in to the station said IS broadcasts a message of militancy against the government and encourages youths to fight the administration.

"Most of the publicity is that we must fight against the government," said a resident.

"The government must shut the radio station down because the radio really has an effect on the youth," another resident said.

However, the Nangarhar Information and Culture Department was unaware of the station. "We are not aware about the radio station which is broadcast in insecure areas," the department head Aworang Samim said.