Omar Khalid Khorasani (real name: Abdul Wali Mohmand;[1] c. 1977 – 7 August 2022)[2] was a Pakistani militant and one of the founding members of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). In 2014, he formed his own splinter militant group called Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA) and was ousted by the Mullah Fazlullah-led Taliban.[3] The same year, JuA swore allegiance to Islamic State (ISIS), however, a year later JuA rejoined TTP.[4]
Omar Khalid Khorasani | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Abdul Wali Mohmand |
| Born | 1977 Mohmand Agency, Pakistan |
| Died | 7 August 2022 (aged 44–45) Barmal District, Paktika Province, Afghanistan |
| Allegiance |
|
| Battles / wars | |
On 7 March 2018, Khorasani was added to the U.S. State Department's Rewards for Justice wanted list with a bounty up to $3 million.[5] His name is also featured in the 'Red Book of Most Wanted High Profile Terrorists' published by Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency.[6] He was killed in a blast caused by a roadside mine on 7 August 2022 in Barmal District, Paktika province, Afghanistan.[7]
Personal life
editOmar Khalid Khorasani was born in Mohmand Agency, Pakistan. He was formerly a journalist and a poet. He studied at a number of religious schools in Karachi, Pakistan.[5] His real name was Abdul Wali Mohmand.[1]
Militant activity
editKhorasani was one of the founding members of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Within organisational circles he was known as a formidable military commander and waged a bloody campaign against the government forces in Khyber agency.[3]
In 2014, Khorasani formed his own splinter militant group called Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA).[8] The same year he was ousted by Mullah Fazlullah-led TTP for forming his own splinter group. Khorasani was a key player in break up of TTP, with one part of the outfit being led by Fazlullah, and the other being headed by himself.[3]
Under the leadership of Khorasani, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA), swore allegiance to Islamic State (ISIS) group in 2014. However, a year later, JuA rejoined Taliban.[4]
According to Rewards for Justice Program (RFJ) website, Khorasani reportedly operated from Nangarhar and Kunar provinces of Afghanistan.[5]
Before his death, Khorasani was described as one of the very senior TTP commanders and was second only to Noor Wali Mehsud in TTP leadership hierarchy.[9]
Death
editKhorasani along with two other senior TTP commanders and one personal driver were killed when their vehicle struck a roadside mine on 7 August 2022 in Barmal District, Paktika Province, Afghanistan.[10][11][7] The two other senior TTP commanders were identified to be Hafiz Dawlat and Mufti Hassan. They were based in Afghanistan's Kunar and Nangarhar provinces and were travelling to Barmal district when their vehicle struck a roadside mine.[7]
Khorasani's death was confirmed by a TTP spokesperson[12][13][14][15] and his funeral was announced to be held in Shukari area of Sarkano district of Kunar province.
Previous reports of death
editIn 2015, Khorasani was seriously injured in a NATO airstrike in eastern Afghanistan. However, Khorasani was able to recover from his injuries.[4]
It was reported that a JuA spokesman, Asad Mansoor, had told AFP news agency that Khorasani on 18 October 2017 had succumbed to his injuries which he received in a United States drone strike in Paktia Province of Afghanistan.[16] Pajhwok Afghan News however stated that a source close to the group had denied his death.[17] Long War Journal reported that a statement on Telegram issued under Khorasani's name denied his death, while confirming the death of Khalifa Umar Mansour. The outlet noted that the spokesman operating the group's Telegram account did not announce his death.[18] His death also was not confirmed by the United States.[17][18]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Khorasani’s cousin Rauf killed in Afghanistan, says police. Express Tribune. 22 December 2017.
- ^ "TTP confirms killing of Omar Khalid Khorasani". 9 August 2022.
- ^ a b c Zahir Shah Sherazi. TTP commander Umar Khorasani injured in Afghanistan. 8 February 2015. Dawn News.
- ^ a b c Pakistan militant leader 'killed by drone' in Afghanistan. BBC News. 19 October 2017.
- ^ a b c "Rewards for Justice – Wanted for Terrorism – Abdul Wali". rewardsforjustice.net. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ "Red Book of Most Wanted High Profile Terrorists" (PDF). fia.gov.pk. Federal Investigation Agency. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ a b c "Three Senior Pakistani Taliban Commanders Killed In Blast In Afghanistan". RFE/RL. 7 August 2022.
- ^ Pakistani Taliban splinter group splits further over tactics. Associated Press. 12 November 2017.
- ^ "کالعدم ٹی ٹی پی کا اہم کمانڈر عمر خالد خراسانی افغانستان میں بم دھماکے میں ہلاک". وی او اے (in Urdu). 8 August 2022.
- ^ "Top Pakistani Taliban leader killed in Afghanistan; Shiites targeted in Kabul". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- ^ "Top Pakistan Taliban leader killed in Afghanistan roadside attack". Al Jazeera. 8 August 2022.
- ^ "Top Pakistani Taliban leader killed in Afghanistan; Shiites targeted in Kabul". The Washington Post. 8 August 2022.
- ^ Khan, Sumaira (8 August 2022). "TTP confirms top commander Khalid Khorasani killed in mysterious Afghanistan blast". Samaa.
- ^ "TTP's top commander Omar Khalid Khorasani killed in blast". Dunya News. 8 August 2022.
- ^ "TTP commander Umar Khalid Khorasani killed in Afghanistan". www.thenews.com.pk. 8 August 2022.
- ^ "Pakistan militant leader 'killed by drone' in Afghanistan". BBC.
- ^ a b "Jamaatul Ahrar denies Khurasani's death in drone strike". Pajhwok Afghan News. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
- ^ a b "Leader of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar emerges after reports of his death". Long War Journal.