Qari Hekmatullah (died 5 April 2018) was an Uzbek Islamic militant and commander for the Islamic State in Afghanistan. With his main base of operations in Darzab District and Qush Tepa District of Jowzjan Province, he extended IS influence into Faryab Province and Sar-e Pol Province.
Biography edit
Qari Helmat was born in Uzbekistan and is sometimes said to be the son of Tohir Yoʻldosh, founder of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.[citation needed]
Hekmat had long been a Taliban commander in Jowzjan Province and was their shadow governor for Darzab District.[citation needed]
In Nov 2015, he allegedly accused a woman of adultery and intended to stone her to death, but was prevented. This incident led to him being expelled by the Taliban for "cruel activities".[1]
In October 2016 he joined the Islamic State and commanded at least 200 armed men.[2] He soon moved into Qush Tepa District, defeating local Taliban.[3]
In 2017 the governor of Sar-e-Pul province said Hekmat was increasing recruitment there.[4]
Death edit
Helmat was killed in a United States airstrike in the Khawaja Arab village of Bal Chiragh district of Faryab province on 5 April 2018.[5][6]
References edit
- ^ Tamkin, Hamid (12 November 2015). "Jawzjan elders save woman from Taliban stoning". Pajhwok. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
- ^ Rasmussen, Sune Engel (8 February 2017). "Six Red Cross workers in Afghanistan killed in ambush". The Guardian. Guardian News & Media Limited. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
- ^ Ali, Obaid (11 November 2017). Kouvo, Sari; Ruttig, Thomas (eds.). "Qari Hekmat's Island: A Daesh enclave in Jawzjan?". Afghanistan Analysts Network. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
- ^ "Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan Recruiting for is in Sar e Pul Governor". 1TV News. Retrieved 3 July 2019.[dead link]
- ^ Shalizi, Hamid (7 April 2018). Nickel, Rod; Perry, Michael; Lawson, Hugh (eds.). "Afghan air strike kills Islamic State commander". Reuters. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
- ^ Lamothe, Dan (9 April 2018). Salahuddin, Sayed; Hassan, Sharif (eds.). "Senior ISIS leader killed in northern Afghanistan, highlighting shifting militant allegiances". Washington Post. Retrieved 3 July 2019.