UPDATED: American suspect captured in remote areas under investigation

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – A Kurdish shepherd on Monday reported to authorities that a "suspected American Islamic State (IS) member" was sneaking into Kurdistan Region borders in a remote area near the city of Semel in Duhok province, northern Kurdistan Region.

Locals who have previously spotted and reported fleeing IS members to Kurdish authorities on several occasions arrested the lone man and promptly informed the authorities, a security member from Duhok told Kurdistan24.

The official who responded to the call told Kurdistan24 that the American was "of Afghan origin" and was trying to reach the border of the Kurdistan Region while fleeing the city of Mosul, information that later revealed to be inaccurate.

The distressed-looking man who in the video can be heard very briefly speaking in English had progressed to a remote area near Mosul Dam on his own. Trying to cross a river, he had removed his trousers.

Kurdish security forces who questioned the man informed Kurdistan24 that he had legally crossed Turkey-Iraq border of Ibrahim Khalil last week.

Located to the south of the town Silopi, the border, also known as Habur Border or Frontier Gate, is controlled by Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

The man was introduced as T. M. and is reported to be a US citizen of Pakistani origin, not Afghan as originally claimed.

Arrested near Mosul Dam, the Pakistani-American is currently under investigation by security forces in Dohuk to explain why he was running through mountains on his own.