Isis fighter was trained in counterterrorism by State Department, officials confirm

Gulmurod Khalimov was an officer of the primary counterterrorism unit which responds to threats in Tajikistan, a State Department official said.

He and other members of his unit were recommended for the program by the Tajik government.

The program is intended to train candidates in modern counterterrorism tactics, so they can fight the kind of militants that Khalimov has now joined.

A State Department official said Khalimov was trained in crisis response, tactical management of special events, tactical leadership training and related issues.

State Department spokesperson Pooja Jhunjhunwala said: "From 2003-2014 Colonel Khalimov participated in five counterterrorism training courses in the United States and in Tajikistan, through the Department of State's Diplomatic Security/Anti-Terrorism Assistance program."

In the online video, Khalimov says "Listen, you American pigs: I've been to America three times. I saw how you train soldiers to kill Muslims.

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"You taught your soldiers how to surround and attack, in order to exterminate Islam and Muslims.

"God willing, we will find your towns, we will come to your homes, and we will kill you."

"All appropriate Leahy vetting was undertaken in advance of this training," said Ms Jhunjhunwala, State Department spokesperson.