Taliban Commander Turns Self In, Asks for Reward

Last week, mid-level Taliban commander Mohammad Ashan walked up to a police checkpoint, pointed to the wanted poster featuring his face, and asked for the $100 finder's fee noted on the poster. For some reason, officials arrested him rather than delivering the reward, the Washington Post reports. US troops couldn't believe it at first: "We asked him, 'Is this you?'" says SPC Matthew Baker. "Mohammad Ashan answered with an incredible amount of enthusiasm, 'Yes, yes, that’s me! Can I get my award now?'"

The Post's story is full of other fun quotes: One US official refers to Ashan's "improbable stupidity." "Clearly, the man is an imbecile," says another. Adds a third: "This guy is the Taliban equivalent of the Home Alone burglars." Ashan is suspected of plotting attacks on Afghan security forces, and a biometric scan confirmed the man who turned himself in is, in fact, Ashan. (More Mohammad Ashan stories.)