Ismail Khan

Mohammad Ismail Khan, born in 1946, is an Afghan former politician and military leader. He served as Minister of Energy and Water from 2005 to 2013, and previously as the governor of Herat Province. During the Soviet-Afghan War, Khan commanded a large mujahideen force, mainly consisting of Tajiks from western Afghanistan. He gained the nickname 'Lion of Herat' due to his reputation. Khan was a prominent member of the political party Jamiat-e Islami and the now-defunct United National Front party. In 2021, he returned to arms to defend Herat from the Taliban's offensive, but ultimately lost. He was captured by the Taliban and reportedly fled to Iran on August 16, 2021. Khan was born in the Shindand District of Herat Province.