Following the United States invasion of Afghanistan, and the surrender of the Taliban forces holding Kunduz, in northern Afghanistan, Shahzada was captured by Northern Alliance forces on 26 November 2001.[9] He pretended to be an innocent rug merchant captured by mistake and used a false name,[10] Mohammed Yusif Yaqub.[11] In reality, he had been a Taliban officer during the invasion.[10] He was transported to Sheberghan Prison, where he was held for seven weeks, before being handed over to the United States at Kandahar. He was later transferred to Guantanamo Bay detention camp, arriving on 15 June 2002, where he was given the Internment Serial Number (ISN) 367.[9]