U.S. Assassinates Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan Leader In Afghanistan

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leader Mullah Fazlullah

On June 15, Lieutenant Colonel Martin O’Donnell, a spokesman for U.S. forces in Afghanistan, announced that U.S. forces targeted a leader of a “designated terrorist organization” in the southern province of Kunar near the Afghan-Pakistani border. However, he didn’t revealed identity of the target or the name of the group.

“U.S. forces conducted a counterterrorism strike, June 13, in Kunar province, close to the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which targeted a senior leader of a designated terrorist organization,” Lt. Col. Martin O’Donnell.

Hours later, the Afghan TOLO TV reported that Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leader Mullah Fazlullah was the target. According to the Afghan TV, Fazullah was targeted by an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) when he was in the border district of Marawayra. Four other senior commander of the TTP were reportedly killed in the same airstrike.

The Pakistani group is yet to confirm or deny these reports.

The TTP leader is wanted by Afghanstan, Pakistan and the U.S., which offered a $5-million reward for information on him earlier this year. Fazlullah’s group are infamous for shooting Malala Yousafzai, who advocated education for fellow girls in Pakistan, back in 2012.