Why Did a Taliban Commander Try to Claim a Reward for His Own Capture?

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SUMMARY

Mid-level Taliban commander Ashan voluntarily surrendered to Western-led authorities in Paktika province while attempting to claim a $100 reward for his capture, as indicated by a wanted poster featuring his own image. After confirming his identity through a biometric scan, Ashan expressed eagerness to receive the reward. This unusual act has left Afghan officials and US soldiers baffled, with speculation surrounding his motivations, including potential internal rivalries within the Taliban and a desire for protection from enemies. The incident highlights the complexities of insurgent behavior and the psychological factors at play.

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Afghan officials and US soldiers were left perplexed after mid-level Taliban commander Ashan, wanted in connection with two roadside bomb attacks, handed himself over to Western-led authorities.


He was arrested after strolling towards a police checkpoint in the Sar Howza district of Paktika province with a wanted poster bearing his own face and demanding the $100 finder's fee.

After a biometric scan confirmed the insurgent's identity, Specialist Matthew Baker said: 'We asked him, "Is this you?" Mohammad Ashan answered with an incredible amount of enthusiasm, "Yes, yes, that's me! Can I get my award now?"'

Hundreds of 'be on the lookout' posters emblazoned with Ashan's face had been distributed in Paktika province.

But normally the posters have little effect as people are wary of repercussions from both sides for passing on information.

US officials said they still did not know why the Taliban commander had tried to claim his own wanted reward.

'This guy is the Taliban equivalent of the Home Alone burglars,' one said.

'Clearly,' another official added, 'the man is an imbecile.'

Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/news/896522-worlds-dumbest-terrorist-tailban-commander-tries-to-claim-100-reward-for-turning-himself-in#ixzz1sVBpuBT6

Pity they all aren't that dumb.
 
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He needed cash?
 
Evo said:
He needed cash?

He's hardly going to be able to spend it from behind bars though?
 
must have had a real reason for wanting to turn himself in.
 
Maybe its part of a plot of some sort..
 
influx said:
Maybe its part of a plot of some sort..
Could be...

Anyone check to make sure his real name isn't "Loki"?

"That guy's brain is a bag full of cats. You can smell crazy on him."
 
rollcast said:
He's hardly going to be able to spend it from behind bars though?
Even $100 could be enough to buy his family food for many weeks.
 
I don't know what sort of internal rivalries exist among Taliban, but it's also possible that the guy had some enemies that he desparately needed protection from. And if the wanted poster gave him the idea for how he could escape being killed by his enemies, why not try to cash in on the $100 while he was at it.
 
i like that idea. plus, he might have done something to dishonor somebody and felt the need to remove himself from the taliban, and suicide would be too honorable?
 
  • #10
Just 100$ reward ??! Even a local thug would fetch higher than him. :P
 
  • #11
How is he a terrorist, though?
 

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