KABUL: A viral Afghan social media video, featuring a man identifying himself as “Saeedullah,” has ignited controversy and raised serious questions about the credibility of Afghanistan’s intelligence apparatus. The video, which accuses Pakistan of training terrorists, contains glaring factual contradictions that analysts say have further eroded Kabul’s information reliability.
According to media reports, the man claims to hail from Mohmand Agency, studied in a madrassa in Peshawar, and allegedly went to Quetta for “terrorist training.” Experts have dismissed these statements as implausible, noting that Quetta and its surrounding areas are densely populated, host tourist and motorsport activities, and are under strict surveillance making the existence of a covert militant camp impossible.
Dragging Outdated Narratives
What makes the propaganda even more absurd is the mention of Lashkar-e-Taiba, an organization that was banned in 2022 and has never operated in western Pakistan or Afghanistan. Analysts argue that this attempt to revive a defunct narrative reflects a desperate bid by Afghan intelligence to frame Pakistan using outdated talking points aligned with Indian disinformation tactics. Security experts believe this video mirrors the agenda of Afghanistan’s “strategic partners” in India, who are engaged in an ongoing psychological warfare campaign targeting Pakistan.
Coordinated Taliban-Affiliated Social Media Activity
According to a Disinfo Watch report, since October 29, several Taliban-linked Afghan social media accounts have been circulating AI-generated clips and fabricated videos portraying Pakistan as an aggressor. The campaign appears to be designed to distract from Kabul’s failure to curb cross-border terrorism and maintain control over militant factions.
One such video, titled “Al-Mursad”, was published by a platform known for supporting Taliban information operations in the past. Experts suggest that the person shown in the video may be an Afghan refugee possessing an expired or fake Pakistani identity card used for propaganda purposes.
Propaganda as a Response to Diplomatic Pressure
Sources familiar with the matter claim that this coordinated disinformation surge began immediately after the collapse of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Istanbul talks, which ended without results. The Afghan government, facing rising domestic unrest and mounting evidence of Taliban-backed terrorist activities, allegedly turned to information warfare to manipulate public perception.
Cover-Up Following “Saddam” Memorial Controversy
Analysts further point out that the release of the fake “Saeedullah” video coincided with the surfacing of viral photos and videos from a memorial event held in Kabul for a slain Afghan militant named Saddam. Following public backlash and embarrassment, Afghan officials reportedly rushed to release the fabricated video to divert attention and suppress internal criticism.
Weaponizing Disinformation
The “Saeedullah” video and its affiliated propaganda clips expose the deepening crisis within Afghanistan’s information management strategy. Instead of addressing the growing evidence of Afghan-origin terrorism and governance failures, Kabul’s intelligence apparatus appears increasingly dependent on fabricated narratives and foreign-sponsored psychological operations to deflect blame.
The campaign underscores how disinformation has become a key instrument of Afghan statecraft, aimed not only at misleading its own citizens but also at distorting regional security dynamics.
Also See: Istanbul Talks Face Digital Crossfire as Kabul-Affiliated Accounts Push Anti-Pakistan Narrative
