Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a former Afghan commando who fought alongside American forces, vanished from his Washington state home late last month. His wife, Khamila, desperately tried to reach him, her calls unanswered until he finally responded with unsettling news: he was with the Tablighi Jamaat.
That single phrase ignited a chilling alarm. To Khamila, and her brother-in-law Ismail Khosti, “Tablighi” wasn’t just a word – it represented a powerful, global Islamic missionary movement with roots in a strict interpretation of Islam, the same ideology that fueled the Taliban and other extremist groups Lakanwal had battled for years.
Counterterrorism experts describe Tablighi Jamaat as a potential “conveyor belt to extremism,” a network operating in mosques and religious circles across at least 150 countries, including the United States. While publicly denouncing terrorism, the group has been linked to radicalization, prompting bans in several nations, including Saudi Arabia and Russia.
The FBI and Department of Homeland Security are now investigating whether Lakanwal was radicalized within the U.S., specifically by connections to the Tablighi Jamaat network. Investigators are scrutinizing whether he received encouragement, assistance, or financial support leading up to the tragic ambush of two West Virginia National Guard service members near the White House.
One service member, Sarah Beckstrom, tragically died from her injuries. The other, Andrew Wolfe, remains critically injured. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has stated that investigators believe Lakanwal was radicalized after arriving in the United States, through connections within his community.
Beyond the Tablighi connection, Lakanwal’s story is one of isolation and potential trauma. Reports indicate he was struggling with depression and psychological distress, conditions experts say can make individuals vulnerable to extremist ideologies. These ideologies exploit perceived injustices, offering a dangerous justification for violence.
The investigation has revealed a disturbing pattern of unexplained absences. Emails from a caseworker detail “manic” road trips where Lakanwal would disappear for days, driving hundreds of miles with little communication. These trips coincided with the requirements of Tablighi work, which often involves extended missionary journeys.
After being evacuated from Afghanistan following the U.S. withdrawal, Lakanwal and his family were resettled in Bellingham, Washington. Within a year, he lost his job and began these erratic journeys, fueled by government assistance and shrouded in secrecy. He even demanded a divorce from his wife, citing a radical interpretation of Islamic law.
Lakanwal’s brother, Khosti, a former Afghan military commander, is consumed by shame and a desperate need for answers. He questions how his brother financed the cross-country trip to Washington D.C. and obtained a firearm, determined to uncover the truth behind this devastating betrayal.
Mohammad Iqbal Selanee, Lakanwal’s former company commander, now works as a janitor in San Diego, grateful for the new life America offered his family. He is heartbroken by the attack, recalling the faces of the American soldiers he fought alongside. He feels a profound responsibility to understand what drove Lakanwal down this path.
Ismail Royer, a former extremist who once joined a terrorist group, now works to counter radicalization. He warns that Tablighi Jamaat can provide “cover for jihadists” and serve as a stepping stone towards violent extremism. He understands the insidious process of radicalization firsthand.
Afghan Lt. Gen. Haibatullah Alizai, the final commander of Afghan forces, feels a personal obligation to uncover the truth. He fears religious fundamentalists exploited Lakanwal’s vulnerabilities, preying on his frustrations and urging him towards violence. He believes they manipulated him by questioning his service alongside American forces.
Now, a new mission has begun – a quest to understand how a man who fought against extremism in Afghanistan could become a perpetrator of violence on American soil. It’s a search for answers driven by grief, a sense of responsibility, and a determination to prevent future tragedies.
The investigation continues, with investigators meticulously piecing together Lakanwal’s final days, seeking to understand the forces that led him to betray the trust of the nation he once fought to protect.
