A senior commander of the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Abdul Manan alias Hakimullah, has been killed in the Kunar province of Afghanistan. Manan was a member of the TTP’s Shura (Council) for Malakand.

This killing comes amidst escalating internal conflicts within the TTP and its affiliated terrorist groups. Recent reports suggest that infighting and internal strife within the TTP in Afghanistan are leading to the mysterious deaths of key commanders.

Manan’s presence and death in Afghanistan further confirm that the Afghan Taliban are providing safe havens to TTP militants.

Manan was involved in numerous terrorist activities, including targeted killings. He was a close associate of TTP leader Umar Khalid Khurasani (Umar Lala) and played a key role in planning terrorist attacks in Bajaur.

Manan had been active in attacks against security forces and civilians since 2007. He was arrested by the Afghan government in Nangarhar province in 2014 but was released after the Taliban captured Kabul in 2021.

His brother, Tariq alias Asad, is also a member of the TTP. Manan’s death is being seen as a major blow to the TTP.