Pakistani Taliban leader killed in Paktika airstrike

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): A Pakistani Taliban, the outlawed group has confirmed.

A Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) source confided to Pajhwok Afghan News that its former spokesman Azam Tariq was killed by the Afghan special forces in Paktika province.

Tariq later joined the Mehsud militant group, led by Khan Said, alias Sajna. Zeeshan Mahsud, Sajna’s spokesman, confirmed the death of Azam Tariq and his son Shafiullah.

Currently acting as spokesperson for the Mehsud Taliban faction, Tariq’s real name was Raees Khan, hailing from the Barwand sub-district of Waziristan. He fled after the launch of an operation by Pakistani forces in the region.

Raees Khan served a schoolteacher in South Waziristan before joining the BaitullahMehsud-led Taliban faction. He sneaked into Paktika, where his hideout was struck in the Mangalkai area of Birmal district.

Tariq, his son, two other Mahsuds and three Wazir tribesmen from the Madakhel tribe of North Waziristan were killed in the airstrike, according to a Pakistani security official, who did not want to be named.

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