January 5, 2026 I Dalena Reporters
In a significant federal court ruling, Abdullah Haji Zada, an Afghan national and lawful U.S. permanent resident, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for his role in plotting a terror attack aimed at disrupting the 2024 U.S. Election Day in November 2024. U.S. authorities confirmed the sentencing on January 5, underscoring ongoing concerns about extremist threats tied to symbolic national events.
According to the Reporters account, Zada was convicted of conspiring on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) to carry out a violent attack designed to undermine democratic processes. Prosecutors presented evidence that Zada attempted to acquire two AK-47-style rifles and approximately 500 rounds of ammunition, fully aware that the weapons were intended for a mass-casualty incident set to coincide with election activities.
The investigation was led by special agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), who used intelligence and counterterrorism monitoring to identify Zada’s activities before the plot could materialize. Agents executed search warrants, seized key evidence, and effected the arrest that ultimately prevented the planned attack, officials said.
Law enforcement officials have emphasized that the sentencing reflects intense security efforts surrounding the 2024 elections. Federal agencies have repeatedly warned that terrorist organisations like ISIS seek to exploit high-profile national events to inspire or direct attacks on U.S. soil, particularly through sympathisers and operatives acting abroad or covertly within the United States.
The case highlights the broader role of ICE HSI and interagency cooperation in detecting, investigating, and dismantling transnational terrorist networks operating within U.S. borders. Beyond the prison term, authorities confirmed that upon completion of his sentence, Zada will be taken into custody by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and deported to Afghanistan.
The sentencing comes amid heightened vigilance by federal law enforcement to safeguard American voters, polling sites, election workers, and the democratic process itself from both domestic and international extremist threats.
As U.S. counterterrorism efforts evolve to meet emerging threats, this case underscores the persistent risks posed by ideologically motivated actors and the imperative to intercept plots before they can harm the public or disrupt foundational civic events.