US slams sanctions on Pak-based terrorist Bahawal Khan

The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on Pakistan-based terrorist leader Bahawal Khan for being involved in terrorist attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Khan, designated by the US State Department as a “Global Terrorist” on February 26, is the leader of the Mullah Nazir Group that is based in the Waziristan tribal region of Pakistan.

“All property in the US jurisdiction in which Khan has any interest will be blocked and American nationals prohibited from engaging in any transactions with him,” said a State Department statement.

Khan, also known as Salahuddin Ayubi, has led the group since January when a US drone strike killed Mullah Nazir in South Waziristan.

Since 2006, the Mullah Nazir Group has been involved in running training camps, despatching suicide bombers, sheltering al Qaeda fighters and conducting cross-border operations in Afghanistan against the US and its allies.

“The group is also responsible for assassinations and intimidation operations against civilians in both countries,” the State Department said.

Khan has previously served as a sub-commander of the Mullah Nazir Group in South Waziristan and fought with the Taliban since the late 1990s.

According to the State Department, “Khan and the MNG have vowed to continue the group’s activities, including supporting al Qaeda and conducting attacks in Afghanistan.”

“While the group is responsible for numerous attacks against the international forces in Afghanistan, it has been known to attack targets in Pakistan too, the State Department said.

The Mullah Nazir Group claimed responsibility for a March 2008 vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attack in front of an army brigade headquarters at Zari Noor in South Waziristan that killed five Pakistani soldiers and injured 11 more.

In May 2011, the group broke a ceasefire and attacked a Pakistan Army camp at Wana with missiles and rockets, it said.

On February 26, the State Department designated the Mullah Nazir Group and its sub-commander Malang Wazir as global terrorists.