Most-wanted TTP commander Hafeezullah killed in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa operation

International International News

Posted by NewAdmin on 2025-04-11 08:42:23 |

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In a significant counter-terrorism breakthrough, Pakistani security forces eliminated two militants during an intelligence-based operation in the Lower Dir district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, with one of them identified as Hafeezullah alias "Kochwan", a high-ranking commander of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). According to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police, the operation took place on Thursday along the Timergara road, where the militants were confronted while riding a motorcycle following actionable intelligence about their presence in the area.

Hafeezullah was a most-wanted figure within the TTP's hierarchy and had a bounty of PKR 5 million on his head. Known for his operational expertise and strategic role in several deadly attacks, he was a key figure in orchestrating terror plots across the province. The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) confirmed his death and stated that efforts are ongoing to establish the identity of the second militant who was killed during the encounter. Security forces have also cordoned off the surrounding area to ensure that no other militants are hiding nearby.

Hailing from Kohan village in Dir district, Hafeezullah was not only a trained militant but also held a degree in computer science, showcasing the evolving face of militant leadership in the region. Before aligning with the TTP, he was associated with the Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militant group. Eventually, he transitioned to the TTP where he rose through the ranks and served under the former TTP chief Maulana Fazlullah. His role extended to the TTP's central Shura and he was designated as the shadow governor of Mardan.

Between 2009 and 2014, Hafeezullah was reportedly involved in several major attacks targeting Pakistani security forces in the conflict-ridden areas of Lower Dir and Chitral. One of the most notable incidents linked to him occurred in 2010 when a suicide bomber targeted a convoy of American soldiers training with the Frontier Corps' Dir Scouts. That attack claimed the lives of three US troops and was among the deadliest assaults attributed to the TTP during that period.

The killing of Hafeezullah is being seen as a major success for Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts as the country continues to combat the resurgence of extremist groups in its northwestern regions.

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