“In a chilling 10-minute address, Khalimov revealed the extent of his experience, which included participating in five counter-terrorism training courses in the US and Tajikstan between 2003 and 2014.
The courses were organised by the US State Department’s Diplomatic Security/Anti-Terrorism Assistance program. Part of the training, according to the Tajik commander, was conducted by the private American military consultancy previously known as Blackwater.”
US-trained police sniper Colonel Gulmurod Khalimov made ‘ISIS minister of war’
September 8, 2016
ISLAMIC State has reportedly appointed a US-trained sniper to the position of minister of war as it steps up its campaign of terror.
Colonel Gulmurod Khalimov, who received specialist training in US when he headed Tajikistan’s police force, has been promoted to the group’s top field commander.
By all accounts, the 41-year-old is an extremely dangerous man. His promotion prompted the US State Department to place a $3 million bounty on his head.
Khalimov succeeds Tarhan Batirashvili, who began his terrorist career as a Chechen rebel, working his way up to the top of the IS military chain before being killed in a US air strike in July.
“The Tajik has been appointed as the successor to the dead terrorist Tarhan Batirashvili who (was) also known as Abu Omar al-Shishani (Omar the Chechen)”, the Iraqi News reported, citing an unnamed Iraqi security source.
“The Tajik Golmurud Khalimov was elected as the first military commander in ISIS. The organisation did not announce it officially because it fears that once mentioned, there might be a series of air strikes against them.”
Abu Omar al-Shishani was said to be “enormously popular” and influential with Islamic State soldiers, who nicknamed him “Red Beard” for his ginger locks.
A clean-cut Colonel Khalimov when he was chief of Tajikstan’s special police force, before his defection to IS last year.Source:Supplied
The Colonel shows of his sniper skills in an IS made video released last year in which he declared he was ‘bringing jihad to Russia, Tajikstan and the US’.Source:Supplied
Much of Khalimov’s past is shrouded in mystery but it appears the father-of-eight became radicalised fairly recently, only announcing his defection to IS in 2015.
He disappeared in April last year while serving as chief of Tajikstan’s special police force, only to resurface a month later in a IS video in which he vowed to bring jihad to Tajikistan, Russia and the US.
In a chilling 10-minute address, Khalimov revealed the extent of his experience, which included participating in five counter-terrorism training courses in the US and Tajikstan between 2003 and 2014.
The courses were organised by the US State Department’s Diplomatic Security/Anti-Terrorism Assistance program. Part of the training, according to the Tajik commander, was conducted by the private American military consultancy previously known as Blackwater.
Khalimov also revealed in the video that he had taken part in numerous secret training sessions in Russia during his reign as police chief.
Khalimov (centre) announced his defection to IS in a chilling video released last year.Source:Supplied
Khalimov succeeded former IS Minister of War Abu Omar al-Shishani, aka, ‘Red Beard’, who was killed in a US air strike in July.Source:Supplied
Khalimov’s defection to IS saw him become one of the world’s most wanted men. His second wife, a former press secretary for Tajikstan’s customs service, is reportedly standing by her man and is also being sought by authorities.
Interpol recently issued a Red Notice for his capture and extradition back to Tajikistan, where he is wanted on charges of treason, being part of an armed group and illegal participation in armed conflict in other states.
He has also been placed on UN and US sanctions lists.
Adara Press 