DERA ISMAIL KHAN: A close aide of Khan Said, naib emir of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and his guard were killed during a search operation conducted by security forces on Friday along the border of South Waziristan Agency with Balochistan province.

Mehmoodul Hasan alias Khwaja Madni was said to be an important member of the TTP.

According to sources, the security forces conducted the search operation in Tor Mazdak area of the agency, close to the Balochistan border, after receiving information about the presence of militant leaders there.

They said a clash erupted when the security personnel were searching houses in the area, leaving the two men dead.

The sources said Khwaja Madni had remained affiliated with TTP chief Baitullah Mehsud. He joined Waliur Rehman after Baitullah died in a drone attack.

They said Khwaja Madni stayed back in Waziristan after all leaders of the TTP escaped to Afghanistan in the wake of military operations.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2017