What is hekmatyar?

Gulbuddin Hekmatyar is a prominent Afghan political and military leader who rose to prominence during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s. He was the founder and leader of the Hezb-e-Islami (HIA) political party and military group, which played a significant role in the resistance against Soviet forces.

Hekmatyar was born in 1947 in Kunduz, Afghanistan, and studied engineering at Kabul University before becoming involved in political activism. He gained notoriety for his strong anti-communist stance and his role in the Afghan mujahideen resistance against the Soviet occupation.

Hekmatyar has been a controversial figure in Afghan politics, known for his fierce and erratic behavior. He has been accused of human rights abuses, including the indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas during the Afghan Civil War in the 1990s. His group, Hezb-e-Islami, was designated as a terrorist organization by the United States.

Hekmatyar has been involved in peace talks with the Afghan government in recent years and has made attempts to re-enter Afghan politics. In 2017, he signed a peace agreement with the Afghan government, leading to his return to Kabul after decades in exile. His role in the ongoing peace process in Afghanistan remains a topic of contention and debate.