‘Tartan Taleban’ is accused of teaching insurgents to use IEDS

● Dundee-born man features in new report on roadside bomb use

A Muslim convert known as the “Tartan Taleban” stands accused of teaching insurgents how to use deadly roadside bombs.

Dundee-born James Mclintock is included in a newlypublished report by the London-based charity Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) on the “regional and transnational networks that facilitate improvised explosive devices (IED) use”.

Mclintock, 53, who changed his name to Yaqoob Mansoor Al-rashidi, is president of the Al Rahmah Welfare Organisation (RWO), which claims to help orphans.

But the US Treasury alleges it has been providing money for al-qaeda, the Taleban, Lashkar-e-taiba and other Afghan extremist groups.

The new AOAV report states: “Mclintock is said to have hired fighters to obtain photos and personal details of children in order to create falsified dossiers and attract funding for the Taleban under the guise of supporting orphans.

“RWO has supposedly been used as a front to fund militant activities in Kunar Province and Mclintock has reportedly provided funds to Shaykh Aminullah, who runs the designated Ganj Madrasa, which has been said to provide funds to the Taleban.

“In2013,mclintockmetwith several Taleban commanders and was actively involved in preparing madrasa students

0 James Mclintock met Taleban commanders and taught students to fight, the report says to travel and fight in Afghanistan, as well as teaching insurgents how to use IEDS.

“According to the Treasury, RWO was used as a front to collect more than $180,000 from unknowing UK donors that went directly into Taleban hands.

“Interestingly, RWO has currently or in the past, at least according to their website, several cooperative efforts together with organisations around the world. It should be noted that Mclintock and RWO have ‘categorically denied’ all accusations.”

RWO was used as a front to collect more than $180,000 (£138,000) from unknowing Ukdonorsthatwentdirectly into Taleban hands, says the US Treasury.

IEDS have rapidly overtaken landmines as the dominant threat to civilians in conflict zones.

They consistently cause the most civilian harm of any weapon category, and between2011and2015were responsible for a shocking total of 105,071 civilian casualties – 59 per cent of all casualties from explosive violence worldwide.

The report was undertaken by the London-based charity with assistance from the Nato Counter-ied Centre of Excellence.