Pakistan's most wanted terrorist killed in air-strike in Afghanistan
Pakistan Taliban leader Mullah Fazlullah has been killed in an air strike in Afghanistan, the latter confirmed today. The US had announced the strike in Kunar province yesterday, but hadn't revealed the identity of the target. Fazlullah, Pakistan's most-wanted terrorist, was involved in several attacks, including a 2014 school massacre that killed 132 children and the shooting of Malala Yousafzai.
Strike took place at 9am yesterday
"I confirm that Mullah Fazlullah, leader of the Pakistani Taliban, has been killed in a joint air operation in the border area of Marawera district of Kunar province," Mohammad Radmanish, an Afghan defense ministry spokesman, said. He added the strike took place at 9am yesterday.
About Fazlullah, Pakistan's most wanted terrorist
Fazlullah's rise as an Islamist leader began more than 10 years ago. He often gave fiery broadcasts, for which he came to be known as "Mullah Radio." Fazlullah masterminded the 2014 attack on an army-run school in Peshawar, in which Taliban gunmen shot dead 132 children. He's also suspected to have ordered the 2012 shooting of Malala Yousafzai, which shunted her to global fame.
Fazlullah's elimination expected to warm ties between US and Pakistan
Fazlullah's elimination is likely to thaw icy ties between Washington and Islamabad; the former has consistently accused the latter of harboring terrorists, including the Afghan Taliban and Haqqani network, a charge Islamabad has denied. It claims the Pakistani Taliban finds safe haven in Kabul instead.
Most Pakistan Taliban members have fled to Kabul
The Pakistan Taliban waged a decade-long insurgency to establish strict Islamic rule, but most fighters have by now fled to Kabul. Meanwhile, Afghanistan has declared a three-day ceasefire with the larger Afghan Taliban, which ruled the country for five years before being ousted in 2001. Pakistan's role in convincing the Afghan Taliban, which operates mostly in Islamabad, to open negotiations in Afghanistan, is believed to be key.
