Azam Khan Tariq, considered the TTP’s fourth top leader, was killed in the fierce clash in the Afghanistan’s Paktika province that borders Pakistan's South Waziristan, Pakistan’s Daily Times reported.
The news came from the militant group members who contacted reporters via phone, according to Pakistan’s The International News portal. They said that Tariq was killed along with other militants including his son.
"I confirm the killing of Azam Tariq along with at least 10 other Pakistani Taliban in Paktika province," AFP quoted a senior militant commander loyal to Tariq as saying.
Tariq was born in Pakistan and worked as a schoolteacher before joining the country’s offshoot of the Taliban. After that he served as spokesperson to then-commander of the organization, Hakimullah Mehsud who was killed in a US drone attack.
Both Kabul and Islamabad have consistently accused each other of facilitating militants and engagement in attacks that undermine regional stability.
