At least 26 Daesh fighters were arrested during National Directorate of Security (NDS) forces operations in different areas of Kabul, NDS said in a statement on Tuesday. 

According to the NDS statement the group entered Kabul from different provinces and were waiting for the opportunity to conduct terrorist attacks during Ashura ceremonies on Thursday in Kabul. 

“NDS forces identified them before they reached to their targets and thwarted their plans,” the statement read. 

For Shia Muslims, Ashura marks the remembrance of Muharram, and commemorates the death of Husain ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. Ceremonies are held each year to mark the day.