Confusion prevails over TTP Chief Fazlullah

The Pakistan Army and its chief General Raheel Sharif claimed that Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Maulana Fazlullah was killed in an airstrike last night. The operation was conducted by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in Fazlullah’s hideouts in Afghanistan. A section of Pakistan Media too confirmed the report. However, Pakistan Defence Ministry and Geo News have denied the reports, saying it was a rumour.

The Pakistan Taliban has not yet verified the news. According to Pakistan Army Chief, at least 190 Taliban militants have been killed across Pakistan in the last 3 days. “Breaking News, Flash! Moulvi Fazal ullah has been killed in Fresh Airstrike!”, tweeted Raheel Sharif at around 2 AM IST.

Maulana Fazlullah, who was born in 1974, is nicknamed the “Radio Mullah”. He is a militant Islamist who has served as the leader of the Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi, an organisation aiming to enforce Sharia in Pakistan, and was the leader of the Pakistani Taliban in Swat Valley. He became the Emir of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan in November 2013.