Correction: Report of Hekmatyar’s Capture Incorrect

Initial report of Hekmatyar’s capture was a case of mistaken identity

On 9-11, Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported “the commander of the Hizb-i-Islami militia in Hafezan in the eastern province of Nangarhar, Gulbuddin Hikmatyar, was arrested after credible intelligence led Afghan and coalition forces to his compound.” An independent intelligence source confirmed the initial report, which led to my post on this matter, however a subsequent identification by fingerprinting indicates the person in question is not Hekmatyar. The captured suspect is a high level commander in Hezb-i-Islami, and is said to be a dead ringer for Hekmatyar.

The misidentification of terrorist commanders is a common occurrence. Most recently, Pakistan commander Matiur Rehman and Taliban leader Mullah Dadullah were reported captured, however it was later discovered they were indeed not in custody. It is believed the Pakistani ISI misled ABC News, while Dadullah’s body double was actually Mullah Ibrahim, a Taliban commander in the Kandahar region.

Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal.

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10 Comments

  • Major John says:

    Aw nuts. And I had already celebrated quite, um, heartily…

  • jesus reyes says:

    Thanks for the update. I’ve been trying to find this story every since you posted. It did net some interesting information from and about Michael Ledeen

  • tblubrd says:

    Well, I’m disappointed. But it’s good to see you call it like you see it. Your previous post implied that his identity may be wrong from first reports anyway.
    But I have found it extremely interesting that we apparently have “approval” for tracking bin Laden and striking at him in Pakistan without having to get permission from Pakistani officials – as per your post on the “Black Army”. Maybe a Christmas present looming….?

  • Not So Fast…

    BILL ROGGIO says that reports of Afghan warlord Gulbuddin Hikmatyar’s capture have been greatly exaggerated. …[A] subsequent identification by fingerprinting indicates the person in question is not Hekmatyar. The capture suspect is a high level comma…

  • MilBlogs says:

    Gotcha, Mr. Hekmatyar!

    BAD NEWS UPDATE: It wasn’t him. Nuts. Someday Mr. Hekmatyar, someday… A great feat. A great day for Afghanistan and a great day for us. “#&*#, they got me.”…

  • Correction: Report of Hekmatyar’s Capture Incorrect

    Courtesy of The Fourth Rail:
    Initial report of Hekmatyar’s capture was a case of mistaken identity
    On 9-11, Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported “the commander of the Hizb-i-Islami militia in Hafezan in the eastern province of Nangarhar, Gulbudd…

  • blert says:

    King Richard III may have to die many times before he laments for a horse.

  • BLOG: Quick Links 9/20/06

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Iraq

Islamic state

Syria

Aqap

Al shabaab

Boko Haram

Isis