Five: TTP members killed South Waziristan

Taliban faction were killed after their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device planted by the roadside

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Five suspected Taliban militants were killed in a roadside blast in South Waziristan Agency on Wednesday, intelligence sources said.

According to sources, the militants – who were affiliated with the Taliban faction led by Khan Saeed alias Sajna – were killed after their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device planted by the roadside in the Shaktoi area of Ladha sub-division.

The fatalities included Taliban commanders Amir Hamza and Maulvi Khather, sources said. Hamza was the commander of the Shaktoi area.

The remaining three were the guards of the two commanders, they added.

It is unclear if the IED was planted by the Taliban’s Shahryar faction, which had a series of clashes with the Sajna group early last month. Around 43 militants were killed in the infighting. The Taliban have not issued any statement about the incident so far.

Lately deadly conflict between two TTP factions has resulted in the death of dozens of militants.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 1^st, 2014.