Two key Taliban commanders killed in Khyber clash: sources
PESHAWAR: Two key Taliban commanders have been killed in a clash with the security forces in Jamrud Tehsil of Khyber Agency on Saturday, sources said.
Official sources told Dawn.com that the clash occurred in Lashora area of Jamrud which left key militant commanders of the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Abubakar and Wajid dead.
The security forces have also taken the body of Wajid in their custody.
There are reports that another key TTP commander Ashiqullah has also been killed in the operation, however, these are yet to be verified.
Khyber Agency is one of Pakistan’s seven semi-autonomous tribal regions in the area, where Pakistani Taliban and Al Qaeda-linked militants are said to have carved out strongholds.
Also read: Three LI militants killed in Khyber
Pakistan Army launched the operation ‘Khyber-1’ last month with air strikes against LI hideouts in areas under the Mangal Bagh-led group’s control in Tirah and Bara.
The operation was launched amidst Zarb-i-Azb, a full-fledged military operation being conducted by the army against TTP and other militants in the North Waziristan tribal region.
The military operation has reportedly seen a number of militant hideouts attacked and destroyed. It has also left over 245,482 people displaced.