Main anti-US Taliban leader killed in Waziristan

 ISLAMABAD (PAN commander in the south Waziristan, was among 10 people killed in a serial US drone strikes near the Afghan border, an official said on Thursday.

The unmanned spy plane fired two missile at a vehicle carrying Nazir along with his eight fighters in the Sarakanda area of Angoor Hada, killing all, a security official said on condition of anonymity.

Another local commander, Rata Khan, also died in a similar attack near Wana, the agency’s headquarters. Khan was travelling in a vehicle from Barmal area towards the town when came under attack from the aircraft, he said.

The Taliban have not yet confirmed the death of Mullah Nazir, a pro-Pakistani government and anti-US commander.

The drone strikes were carried out on Thursday in the South and North Waziristan. Mullah Nazir was among six people died in the incident.

Local Taliban and intelligence sources confirmed the death of Nazir near Wana. His funeral was observed in Azam Warsak area.

Nazir opposed the presence of US and NATO.

Nazir and his fighters were targeted as they were swapping vehicles after his double cabin pick-up encountered a mechanical fault.

Two of his influential deputies Atta Ullah and Rafey Khan were among those killed, the official added.

Meanwhile, a separate drone attack killed four suspected militants in Mir Ali, north Waziristan. Several others were wounded in the incident that took place in the Mubarak Shahi village.

The drone hit a vehicle with two missiles. When rescuers gathered at the site, the plane fired another two missiles, killing the four, local officials said.

nz/myn/ma

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