Washington, DC – The United States on Tuesday slapped sanctions on Pakistan-based terrorist leader Bahawal Khan, designating him a “Global Terrorist,” for being involved in terrorist attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Khan, also known as Salahuddin Ayubi, has led the Commander Nazir Group (CNG), which is based in the lawless tribal region of Pakistan, since January 2013, when Mullah Nazir was killed in a US drone strike in South Waziristan.
Designating Khan as “a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT),” the US State Department in its statement said, “As a result of the designation, all property subject to US jurisdiction in which Khan has any interest is blocked and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with Khan.”
The US statement noted that Khan previously served as a sub-commander for CNG in South Waziristan and also fought with the Taliban since the late 1990s. “Khan and CNG have vowed to continue the group’s activities, including supporting al-Qaida and conducting attacks in Afghanistan,” the statement added.
While the group has been behind numerous attacks against international forces in Afghanistan, it has been known to attack targets in Pakistan too, the State Department said. The CNG 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 in the tribal belt with missiles and rockets.
Earlier, on February 26, 2013, the Department of State designated CNG and sub-commander Malang Wazir as Specially Designated Global Terrorists.