Kabul, December 4, 2024 – A senior commander of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Rahimullah, also known as Shaheed Umar Bajauri, was killed alongside three associates in an ambush in Afghanistan’s Kunar province, according to Pakistani media reports.
Bajauri, a prominent figure in the TTP and a member of its military commission, was reportedly targeted by unidentified gunmen in the Shigal district of Kunar after attending a gathering. He was a key military strategist for the TTP and played a crucial role in planning and executing attacks against Pakistan’s military, especially along the border regions. Bajauri was a close ally of TTP leader Noor Wali Mehsud and had previously served as the group’s shadow governor in Dera Ismail Khan.
The Pakistani military had offered a reward of 10 million rupees for his capture. Bajauri had spent eight years in Afghanistan’s Bagram detention facility before being released following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
His death highlights growing concerns about Afghanistan being used as a hub for extremist activities, according to analysts. “Bajauri’s killing underscores that groups like the TTP continue to operate from Afghan soil, validating the fears of neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan,” said experts familiar with the situation.
The TTP, one of several militant groups operating in Afghanistan, is believed to have between 6,000 and 6,500 fighters, according to a United Nations monitoring group. The group has been accused of using Afghanistan as a launching pad for cross-border attacks on Pakistan.
The Taliban have consistently denied that TTP militants are present in Afghanistan. However, Bajauri’s assassination highlights the group’s deep presence in the country and raises questions about the Taliban’s control over these factions.
Neither the Pakistani military nor the Taliban have officially commented on Bajauri’s death. However, Pakistan has repeatedly voiced concerns about the presence of TTP leadership in Afghanistan. The killing has reignited debates about the Taliban’s ability, or willingness, to curb militant activities within Afghanistan, further straining relations between the Taliban and Islamabad.
