Prominent Pakistani leader Malik Aslam Wazir, known for his anti-India stance, was killed in an explosion in Daza Ghundai, South Waziristan Lower Tribal district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The bomb, planted on a shop rooftop, resulted in the deaths of Malik, his younger son, and another person.
Malik Aslam Noor Wazir, recognized with a presidential award, wielded influence within Pakistani terrorist networks, despite limited international recognition. His death is a significant blow to the terror infrastructure in Pakistan.
The incident adds to escalating tensions in Pakistan, marked by increased insurgent activity. The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), or Pakistani Taliban, intensified attacks following the breakdown of peace talks and the end of a monthlong ceasefire in December.
The surge in violence extends to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa region, with recent incidents in North Waziristan, South Waziristan, and Bajaur resulting in eight fatalities, including two security personnel, and numerous injuries. This upswing in insurgent violence raises both local and international concerns.
In a recent development, Pakistan Army eliminated four armed fighters, including a sought-after individual named ‘Ibrahim,’ near the northwestern border with Afghanistan. Despite the Army’s success in clearing North Waziristan after the 2014 attack on an army-run school in Peshawar, sporadic attacks persist. This suggests the possibility that the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) may have sought refuge in Afghanistan and is rebuilding, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by Pakistan Army.
The Pakistani Taliban, while distinct from the Afghan Taliban, is allied with the group that seized power in Afghanistan in 2021 as US and NATO troops completed their withdrawal after two decades of war.