US declares TTP's Khan Said 'Sajna' as global terrorist, slaps sanctions

Osama bin Laden's doctor Ramzi Mawafi also sanctioned

WASHINGTON: US on Tuesday declared Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) deputy leader Khan Said 'Sajna' as a ‘global terrorist’ and slapped sanctions on him.

According to a notification issued by the US Department of State, Said along with Egyptian Ramzi Mawafi were designated as “Specially Designated Global Terrorists” under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism.

The designations also include prohibitions for the two men which bar US citizens from engaging in transactions with them. Said and Mawafi’s property and interests in US or that which come within the United States or the possession or control of US persons will also be freezed.

Said became deputy leader of Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) following the death of Waliur Rehman in May 2013. Said is believed to have been involved in the attack on a Naval base in Karachi and is also credited with masterminding the Bannu 2012 in which 400 inmates were freed.

He leads the Mehsud faction of the TTP which split from TTP in May 2014 to continue their trajectory of activities.

Bin Laden’s ‘doctor’ sanctioned

Mawafi, an Egyptian national, is a long-time al Qaeda member best known as the former doctor to Osama bin Laden. Mawafi has also served as an explosives expert for al Qaeda.

Mawafi escaped from an Egyptian prison in 2011, and is now believed to be in the Sinai Peninsula coordinating among militant groups and helping to arrange money and weapons to support extremist activity.