Who was Abdul Manan, top TTP commander killed in Afghanistan by unknown men?
TTP commander gunned down by unknown men in Afghanistan (Representative image)
Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander Abdul Manan, also known as Hakimullah, was killed on Sunday (Jun 16) in Afghanistan's Kunar province by unknown men. He was associated with the Malakand chapter of TTP. His killing is considered a big setback to the TTP and a major achievement for Islamabad. Manan was accused of carrying out several terror activities inside Pakistan, according to reports. Pakistan-based media outlets claimed he was involved in many targeted killings and was accused of using improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
As per media sources, Pakistan's Intelligence Based Operations (IBOs) unit may have played a key role in the killing of Manan, and it regularly carries out such operations in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions.
Who was Abdul Manan?
Manan was appointed as a Shura Member of TTP Malakand after the militant group was reorganised in 2023 by Noor Wali Mehsud, the leader of the Pakistani Taliban. He also served as a personal assistant to Azmat Ullah Mehsud (Azmat Lala) Wali Malakand, the chief of TTP Malakand.
He also served as a cleric at a Madrassa of TTP in Sarkano in Kunar province. He has also worked with several top TTP commanders such as Tahir alias Waqar, Umar alias Ismail and others.
Born in Salarzai of Bajaur district in 1985, Manan hailed from the Majakhel tribe. He first joined the TTP in December 2007 and actively participated in major attacks against security forces in Inayat Kallay, Loesam, Damadola, and Saparai back in 2008 to 2010.
He was arrested by the Afghan civil government in 2014 from the Nangarhar region and he remained in jail along with other TTP commanders like Shahid Umar and MFM. However, he was set free in 2021 following the fall of Kabul and the revival of the Taliban regime.
In previous years, he remained involved in various terrorist activities including IED blasts, targeted killing of Civilians and Security Forces, fire raids at installations and extortion in Bajaur.
(With inputs from agencies)