ISLAMABAD: The deputy chief of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) KhanSaid Mehsud alias Sajna, who was head of the Mehsud faction of the Taliban,is believed to have been killed in a drone strike in the Margha Area ofBarmal in Afghanistan making Maulvi Khatir the new acting chief of MehsudHalqa.
At least two sources confirm that Sajna was killed along with his nephewIsmail and two guards.
“The vehicle was completed destroyed,” an intelligence official told themedia, adding that there were at least three reported drone strikes on thePak-Afghan border in the last 24 hours.
TTP Mehsud Halqa has appointed Khatir as acting chief of their faction.
Sajna, 46, belonged to the Shobi Khel tribe and had two wives, both of whombelonged to the Mehsud tribe.
Sajna was put on the United States Designated Terrorist list in October2014.
Sajna is reported to have actively participated in the Afghan War beforejoining the Tehreek-e-Taliban soon after its formation. He was alsoconsidered a close aide of Baitullah Mehsud and Wali Rehman.
According to Rehman’s will, Sajna was to become a tribal chief in SouthWaziristan after his death. Hakeemullah, however, was not ready to acceptSajna as the new chief. He instead opted for Sharyar Mehsud as the newameer, after which conflicts emerged between Sajna and Maulvi Fazaullah.However, tensions between the two defused in 2016 when Fazalullah appointedSajna as deputy ameer of the group as well as ameer of South Waziristan.
Sajna became TTP’s deputy leader following the death of Waliur Rehman inMay 2013. Said had experience fighting in Afghanistan, and was believed tobe involved in the attack on PNS Mehran in Karachi, and was also creditedwith masterminding a 2012 jailbreak in which the Taliban freed 400 inmatesfrom a prison in Bannu.
While the Mehsud faction had split from the TTP, they announced on February2, 2017 that the “Mehsud division”, which is also known as the Taliban inSouth Waziristan and Sajna or Khalid Mehsud Group, had rejoined the group.
A Pakistani official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said theyhad received reports regarding Sajna but were awaiting furtherconfirmation. He refused to give any more details.