In a concerning revelation, a US counter-terrorism official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, has warned that ISIS-K terrorists could exploit the porous borders of the United States, potentially carrying out a large-scale attack similar to the tragic mass shooting at a Moscow concert hall that claimed the lives of 143 people. The official emphasized that the extremist offshoot of the Islamic State terror group is becoming bolder and may seek out a significant target, taking advantage of the chaos at the US-Mexico border.

Given the alarming number of migrant encounters recorded at the southern border in February alone, with over 256,000 encounters and an unknown number of individuals slipping through undetected, the official expressed concerns that ISIS-K operatives could exploit this situation and enter the country unnoticed. The worry is further compounded by the sharp increase in encounters with individuals on the FBI's terror watchlist at the border in recent years.

According to Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) data, the number of suspected terrorists stopped at the southern border has seen a dramatic rise. In 2021, 15 suspected terrorists were intercepted, while the following year witnessed a significant spike of 98 suspects apprehended. Last year alone, a total of 169 terror suspects were halted at the border, and since October 2021, an additional 69 suspects have been caught attempting to sneak into the country. Additionally, it is believed that hundreds of individuals from countries where ISIS-K is actively recruiting cross the border each year.

The counter-terrorism official stressed that the threat of a domestic ISIS-K attack on US soil is taken very seriously. The group's hatred towards the US and its values, coupled with their audacious nature and constant search for targets, make them a formidable concern. While experts suggest that Europe is more likely to be targeted due to its closer proximity to the group's base, the open borders of the US, both north and south, pose a significant terror risk.

Morgan Lerette, a former US Army captain and Blackwater contractor, highlighted the potential danger of terrorists entering the US through the open border, citing the Moscow attack as a stark example. Lerette stated that it would only take a few armed individuals to target a large event, such as a concert or a major location like Times Square, to bring terrorism to US soil. He also pointed out that the perpetrators of the Moscow attack were from Tajikistan, a nation where ISIS-K has been gaining support.

ISIS-K has claimed responsibility for other deadly attacks, including twin suicide bombings in Iran and an attack at the Kabul airport during the US evacuation from Afghanistan. The official mentioned that the success of the Moscow attack suggests that ISIS-K will seek out even more significant targets, indicating a potential threat to the United States.

Daniel Byman, a senior fellow with the Transnational Threats Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted that ISIS-K is the most operationally capable offshoot of the Islamic State. Byman stated that the group has garnered followers across the Middle East and Central Asia and has declared major enemies, including the Taliban regime, Russia, Iran, and the Western countries supportive of violent Sunni Muslim jihadist movements.

Experts have warned that hundreds of nationals from countries like Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan could be crossing the US border annually, given the significant increase in migrant stops since 2020. Counter-terrorism analysts highlighted that while resources may be limited for ISIS-K members in the US, low-cost attacks such as car or truck ramming remain possible.

Furthermore, analysts cautioned that an attack through the southern border is not the only concern, as an ISIS-K sympathizer already residing in the US could potentially carry out a terrorist strike on behalf of the group. The recent attack in Moscow is expected to inspire others to take action in support of ISIS-K.

The US government and relevant agencies will undoubtedly need to intensify efforts to secure the borders and enhance intelligence and surveillance to counter the evolving threats posed by ISIS-K and its sympathizers.