A Taliban insurgent in Afghanistan, Mohammad Ashan, has been dubbed the world’s dumbest terrorist after attempting to claim a $100 (£63) reward for turning himself in.

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.

Mohammad Ashan: Motivations unclear (Picture: Nato/Isaf)

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.’