Former Mullah Nazir aide killed in South Waziristan shooting

Police said Muhammad Khalid and his companion were travelling from Rustam Bazaar Wana towards their home in Doag when armed assailants

PESHAWAR: A former aide to late Taliban commander Mullah Nazir was killed and another man injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire on their vehicle in Doag area of Wana tehsil in Lower South Waziristan on Saturday evening.

Police said Muhammad Khalid and his companion were travelling from Rustam Bazaar Wana towards their home in Doag when armed assailants attacked them near a cemetery. Both men sustained gunshot wounds in the incident.

Rescue officials said Khalid was critically injured and died while being transported to Dera Ismail Khan for medical treatment. The second victim was shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Wana, where he is currently receiving treatment.

Wana Circle DSP Asghar Ali Shah confirmed that Khalid had previously served as an aide to Mullah Nazir’s group. Police have yet to determine the motive for the attack or identify the perpetrators.

An initial report has been registered and an investigation is under way. Officials said investigators are examining different aspects of the shooting and efforts are being made to trace and arrest those responsible.

Mullah Nazir was an influential Taliban commander in Lower South Waziristan and belonged to the Ahmadzai Wazir tribe. His group reached a peace agreement with the government in 2007 and was known for opposing Uzbek and other foreign militants operating in tribal areas.

Relations between Nazir’s faction and the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were reportedly strained, with Nazir opposing attacks on the government and security forces in areas under his influence. He was killed in a US drone strike in January 2013.

The latest shooting comes amid growing security concerns in Lower South Waziristan, where residents have reported an increase in targeted killings, kidnappings, extortion and attacks involving militants over the past year and a half.

Local residents have urged the government and law-enforcement agencies to strengthen security measures and protect lives and property as concerns over the deteriorating law-and-order situation continue to grow.

Police said it was too early to establish whether Khalid’s past association with Mullah Nazir’s group was connected to the attack.