WASHINGTON - The US Department of State has designated TTP leader Khan Said, also known as Sajna, as Specially Designated Global Terrorists under an Executive Order, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism.
A statement released here Tuesday said Khan Said became TTP deputy leader following the death of Waliur Rehman in May 2013.
“Said has had experience fighting in Afghanistan, is believed to be involved in the attack on a Naval base in
Karachi, Pakistan, and is also credited with masterminding a 2012 jailbreak in which the Taliban freed 400 inmates in the northwestern city of Bannu, Pakistan.”
According to the State Department, the Mehsud faction, led by Said, split from the TTP in May 2014. In a public statement following the split, Said stated his continued commitment to terrorist activity, the statement added.
The State Department also designated Ramzi Mawafi, an Egyptian national and long-time al-Qaeda member, as Specially Designated Global Terrorist.
Mawafi is best known as the former doctor to Usama bin Laden, the State Department said.
“Mawafi also served as an explosives expert for al-Qaeda. Mawafi escaped from an Egyptian prison in 2011, and is now believed to be in the Sinai Peninsula coordinating among militant groups and helping to arrange money and weapons to support violent extremist activity.”
The consequences of these designations include a prohibition against US persons engaging in transactions with Said and Mawafi, and the freezing of all property and interests of Said and Mawafi that are in the United States, or come within the United States or the possession or control of US persons.