 Although he was released, his bodyguard was shot, leading to retaliatory fighting.In the lead-up to the Afshar Operation, Alem was reported to have been present at both the major meeting with Ahmad Shah Massoud as well as the meeting with Sayyaf the following day, in which the operation was planned.At that time some of his subcommanders included Commander Naqibuddin in Qala-i Qazi and Commander Hafiz in Shakar Dara.