Shooting Claims Life of Ex-Taliban Aide in South Waziristan

A former associate of the late Taliban commander Mullah Nazir was shot dead in a drive-by attack in Lower South Waziristan on Saturday evening, raising alarms over escalating violence in the region. Muhammad Khalid, who had ties to Nazir's faction, was traveling with another individual when unidentified gunmen opened fire near a cemetery in the Doag area of Wana tehsil.

According to local police, the ambush occurred as they returned home from Rustam Bazaar Wana. Khalid sustained critical injuries and died en route to a medical facility in Dera Ismail Khan. His companion was taken to the District Headquarters Hospital in Wana, where he is currently receiving treatment.

District Superintendent of Police Asghar Ali Shah confirmed the incident, but details regarding the attackers and their motives remain undisclosed. An investigation is underway, with authorities exploring various angles to apprehend those responsible.

Mullah Nazir, an influential figure in the region, had previously engaged in peace negotiations with the government and actively opposed foreign militants. His death in a U.S. drone strike in 2013 left a significant impact on the Taliban dynamics in South Waziristan, with his group continuing to be relevant in local conflicts.

The attack on Khalid is part of a disturbing trend, as local residents report a surge in violence attributed to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other factions over the past 18 months. Recent weeks have seen a rise in targeted killings, kidnappings, and assaults on law enforcement, prompting calls for urgent government action to restore security in the area.

Source: www.dawn.com