Former Taliban commander Haji Najibullah, aged 50, has been sentenced to 42 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for terrorism offenses, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday.
The charges stem from his role as a Taliban commander operating near Kabul between 2007 and 2009, during which he led attacks against U.S. service members and allied forces.
These attacks include the June 2008 assault that resulted in the deaths of three U.S. Army personnel and their Afghan interpreter, and left several others wounded.
Months later, he conducted an attack on an Afghan National Police outpost that killed three Afghan officers.
Additional charges stem from his 2008 and 2009 hostage‑taking of an American New York Times journalist and two Afghan civilians.
The three hostages were held for seven months under constant armed guard before they managed to escape.
In April 2025, Najibullah pleaded guilty to hostage‑taking and to supporting terrorist acts that caused death.
According to the DOJ, he boasted about the men who served under him, saying they were “ready to die” and would “strap a belt and detonate themselves” if ordered.
US Commits to Pursuing Terrorists Who Harm Americans
“Those who harm Americans and engage in terrorism will be pursued and brought to justice, regardless of the time required,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “As a former Taliban commander, Najibullah directed brutal attacks that killed U.S. servicemembers and orchestrated the violent hostage‑taking of an American journalist and Afghan civilians.”
“Today’s sentence provides justice for the victims and their families.”
FBI Director Kash Patel added that Najibullah will “pay the price” for his past actions and emphasized that the FBI will not forget when Americans are killed or taken hostage by terrorists.
“Although incomplete, this sentence delivers long‑awaited accountability and a degree of justice to the victims’ families,” stated Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton noted that “Our office, together with our dedicated law‑enforcement partners, will continue to investigate, prosecute, and bring to justice terrorists worldwide.”
Clayton expressed appreciation for the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force and thanked the New York and New Jersey Port Authority Police, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the Counterterrorism Section of the DOJ’s National Security Division for their assistance.
He also thanked Ukrainian authorities and the International Affairs Office of the DOJ’s Criminal Division for their role in Najibullah’s arrest and extradition.