US announces $5mn-reward for information on Pakistani Taliban Chief Fazlullah
The US has announced a $5 million award for information leading to the arrest of Afghanistan-based Maulana Fazlullah, leader of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an outfit which carries out terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. Under its "Rewards for Justice" program, the US also announced a $3 million reward each for information on Abdul Wali of Jamaat ul-Ahrar (JuA) and Mangal Bagh, leader of Lashkar-e-Islam. Here's more.
Pak Foreign Secretary met with Trump administration officials
Jamaat-ul-Ahrar is a terrorist organization that split from TTP while Lashkar-e-Islam is based in Khyber Tribal Agency in Pakistan. The announcement came as the Pakistani Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua held meetings with officials of the Trump administration including the White House and the State Department.
Fazlullah has directed several TTP attacks: US
The US State Department said TTP is a terrorist organization based in the tribal areas of eastern Afghanistan. It has historically maintained close ties to al-Qaida. Since being appointed by the group's central Shura Council in November 2013, Fazlullah has organized and directed several TTP attacks against Pakistani interests and has publicly blamed the US for military operations against the group.
Fazlullah ordered the failed assassination of Malala Yousafzai
In Dec'14, Fazlullah's operatives carried out the most lethal terrorist attack in Pakistani history when its operatives killed 151 people, including more than 130 children, during an attack against Army Public School in Peshawar, Pakistan. In 2012, Fazlullah ordered the failed assassination of Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai who promoted girls' right to education and publicly criticized Fazlullah and the TTP, the State Department said.
JuA became most active TTP network under Abdul Wali
JuA's Wali reportedly operates from Afghanistan's Nangarhar and Kunar Provinces. Under Wali's leadership, JuA became one of the most operationally active TTP networks in Punjab Province and claimed multiple suicide bombings and other attacks throughout Pakistan. Wali (alias Omar Khalid Khorasani) is believed to be in his late 30s. He is a former journalist and poet and studied at a number of Karachi madrasas.
Punjab Home Minister killed in JuA suicide bombing
In Mar'16, JuA conducted a suicide bombing at a public park in Lahore, Pakistan, that killed 75 people and injured 340. In August 2015, JuA claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing in Punjab that killed Punjab Home Minister Shuja Khanzada and 18 of his supporters.
About Lashkar-e-Islam Chief Mangal Bagh
According to the US State Department, Mangal Bagh and his group Lashkar-e-Islam earns revenue from drug trafficking, smuggling, kidnapping, raids on NATO convoys, and taxes on transit trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Born in Pakistan's Khyber Agency, he is believed to be in his mid-40s. He studied at a madrasa for several years and later fought alongside militant groups in Afghanistan.
Bagh became leader of Lashkar-e-Islam in 2006
Bagh has led Lashkar-e-Islam since 2006 and has routinely shifted alliances to protect illicit revenue streams while enforcing an extreme version of Deobandi Islam in the areas of eastern Afghanistan and western Pakistan that he controls, particularly Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan.
