Muhammad Khurasani reportedly shot dead by unknown gunmen in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar
Reports suggest Khalid Balti alias Muhammad Khurasani, a core member and an active high-level militant commander of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan(TTP), was shot dead yesterday night by unidentified assailants in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province. Khurasani served as spokesperson of the militant organization.
Muhammad Khurasani was in charge of a TTP training camp in Miranshah. He fled to Afghanistan following the successful military operation ‘Zarb-e-Azb’.
After the death of Shahidullah Shahid, Muhammad Khorasani became the TTP’s spokesperson. Khurasani was involved in attacks against civilians and personnel of the security forces of Pakistan. Muhammad Khorasani claimed responsibility for the Army Public School massacre in Peshawar which left over 140 students and teachers dead.
Militant operations against Pakistan Army were planned by Muhammad Khorasani and TTP Chief Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud.
The Pakistan Army & government has claimed multiple times about the presence of TTP leadership in Afghanistan. Recently, The Afghan Taliban played the role of mediator between the TTP and the government of Pakistan, leading to a 1-month ceasefire. However, the group did not extend the ceasefire deal after this period.
Regarding concerns of TTP’s presence, the government and security establishment of Pakistan has been in close contact with the de facto government in Afghanistan. The Afghan Taliban have assured multiple times that their “soil will not be allowed to be used against any country”. However, they feel reluctant when it comes to the threat of TTP.
