Omar Khalid

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Not to be confused with Umar Khalid.
Abdul Wali Mohmand[1]
Other name(s)Omar Khalid Khorasani
BornMohmand Agency, Pakistan
Allegiance Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (until 2014, since 2015 — present)
Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (since 2014)
Islamic State — Khorasan Province (2014-2015)
Battles/warsInsurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Omar Khalid Khorasani (real name: Abdul Wali Mohmand[1]) was a 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.[2] The same year, JuA swore allegiance to Islamic State (ISIS), however, a year later JuA rejoined TTP.[3] In 2017, he was reported to have been killed in a US drone strike along with his nine close associates in Paktika province, Afghanistan. His death was confirmed by a JuA spokesman, Asad Mansoor.[3]

However, 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.[4] His name also features in the 'Red Book of Most Wanted High Profile Terrorists' published by Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency.[5]

Personal life[]

Omar Khalid Khorasani was born in Mohmand Agency, Pakistan. He was a formerly a journalist and a poet. He studied at a number of religious schools in Karachi, Pakistan.[4] His real name is Abdul Wali Mohmand.[1]

Militant activity[]

Khorasani 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.[2]

In 2014, Khorasani formed his own splinter militant group called Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA).[6] 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 while the other being headed by Omar Khalid Khorasani.[2]

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.[3]

According to Rewards for Justice Program (RFJ) website, Khorasani reportedly operated from Nangarhar and Kunar provinces of Afghanistan.[4]

Reports of death[]

In 2015, Khorasani was seriously injured in NATO airstrike in eastern Afghanistan. However, Khorasani was able to recover from his injuries.[3]

In 2017, he was reported to have been killed in a US drone strike along with his nine close associates in Paktika province, Afghanistan. His death was confirmed by a JuA spokesman, Asad Mansoor.[3]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c Khorasani’s cousin Rauf killed in Afghanistan, says police. Express Tribune. 22 December 2017.
  2. ^ a b c Zahir Shah Sherazi. TTP commander Umar Khorasani injured in Afghanistan. 8 February 2015. Dawn News.
  3. ^ a b c d e Pakistan militant leader 'killed by drone' in Afghanistan. BBC News. 19 October 2017.
  4. ^ a b c "Rewards for Justice - Wanted for Terrorism - Abdul Wali". rewardsforjustice.net. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  5. ^ "Red Book of Most Wanted High Profile Terrorists" (PDF). fia.gov.pk. Federal Investigation Agency. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  6. ^ Pakistani Taliban splinter group splits further over tactics. Associated Press. 12 November 2017.
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