Nephew of Baitullah Mehsud killed in Bannu shootout

A failed motorcycle-borne ambush by Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan (Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan or TTP) fighters targeting Pakistani policemen in Bannu left two militants and a Pakistani Elite Force member dead on Sunday. Among the militants killed was Ibrahim, the nephew of slain TTP emir Baitullah Mehsud.

Baitullah Mehsud, one of his brothers, his wife, and his father-in-law were among those killed in a US drone strike on Aug. 5, 2009. [See LWJ report, Baitullah Mehsud is dead, says Pakistani Taliban deputy].

According to the Lahore Times:

The shooting took place when three militants riding a motorcycle rickshaw (ching-chi rickshaw) opened fire on three policemen, resultantly, Elite Force personnel Muhammad Arif killed on the spot.

In retaliatory fire, two attackers, including a nephew of the banned [sic] Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leader Baitullah Mehsud, were killed. Four Kalashnikovs, hand grenades, and a wireless set were recovered from the custody of the terrorists. One militant, who was injured, was arrested by the police.

The attack took place near Abshar Chowk, according to Dawn, not far from the Baisa Khel police station in Bannu.

Ibrahim is not the first of Baitullah Mehsud’s male relatives to have been killed in clashes. In November 2010, the bullet-riddled body of Baitullah’s brother Yaqoob Khan was discovered dumped in a field near Mir Ali, North Waziristan. And Yahya Khan, another of Baitullah’s brothers, was assassinated when Baitullah was still alive.

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