Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – In a recent video that has surfaced online, Noor Wali Mehsud, the leader of the banned terrorist organization Pakistani Taliban (TTP), is seen purportedly giving orders to militants involved in an attack on a Pakistani security checkpoint along the Afghan border in Chitral District.
This video marks the first appearance of Noor Wali Mehsud since early January 2023. In the footage, he claims to have taken on this role “upon the insistence of his friends” to oversee the entire attack.
The attack in question occurred on September 6 when a significant group of well-armed terrorists launched an assault on two Pakistani military posts located in the Kalash area near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Prior to the attack, there had been intelligence indicating the movement and concentration of terrorists in areas such as Gawardesh, Pitigal, Barg-e-Matel, and Batash in the Nuristan and Kunar provinces of Afghanistan. This information had been timely shared with the Interim Afghan Government.
In response to the heightened threat environment, Pakistani military posts had been placed on high alert. The courageous soldiers valiantly repelled the attacks, resulting in significant casualties among the terrorists. During the exchange of fire, twelve terrorists lost their lives, and a considerable number sustained critical injuries, according to the Pakistan military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations.
The attack in Chitral followed closely on the heels of an incident that led to the closure of the main border crossing, the Torkham border, between Pakistan and Afghanistan. This closure stemmed from clashes between forces on both sides of the border. As of Thursday, the border remains closed, leaving hundreds of trucks loaded with essential goods stranded on each side.
A video featuring the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) leader, Noor Wali Mehsud has surfaced on online platforms associated with the group. Noor Wali Mehsud is seen giving directions over a wireless walkie talkie to militants involved in the attack on a Pakistani security checkpost on the Afghan border with Chitral District. In the video, Noor Wali specifically claims he made himself present “upon the insistence of his friends” to oversee the entire attack. This is the first appearance of the TTP Emir since early January 2023.
