Former TTP spokesman among 9 killed in Afghanistan raid

Nine militants, including former TTP spokesperson Azam Tariq, were killed in an ambush by Afghan and NATO forces in southeastern Paktika province.

NINE militants, including former TTP spokesperson Azam Tariq, were killed in an ambush by Afghan and NATO forces in southeastern Paktika province. According to a statement released by Afghanistan’s Ministry of Interior, the militants were killed after Afghan security forces launched a special operation in Mangarti village of Barmal area on Saturday. “The group had planned to launch a terrorist attack in Paktika province”, the statement added.

No Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and civilians were harmed during the operation, continued the statement. An advisor of TTP’s Khan Said Sajna group, Zeeshan Haider Mehsud, confirmed the death of Raess Khan, who used the nom de guerre Azam Tariq, and his son while fighting Afghan security forces.

The TTP adviser added that 10 other militants were killed in the fighting which erupted in Paktika province.

Khan Saeed Sajna, who had broken away from the TTP along with Azam Tariq was reported killed earlier this year in a US-led drone strike in Afghanistan.

In 2014, Irfan Mehsud, the son of Azam Tariq, was killed in an exchange of fire with the Pakistani soldiers in Bober area.

Meanwhile, Afghan forces confiscated one suicide vest, three AK-47s, two pistols, five radio handsets, one explosives-laden vehicle and light and heavy round of ammunitions.