Pentagon says Mullah Nazir’s death a ‘major development’

By Katrina Jones Jan 4th, 2013 ( No Comment )

Washington: The Pentagon on Thursday has termed the possible death of Mullah Nazir, a prominent Pakistani warlord, as a “major development” for the US.

According to Pakistani officials, Nazir, one of the highest-profile drone victims in recent years, was killed when a US drone fired two missiles at his vehicle.

But a Pentagon spokesman could not confirm the account.

“If the reports are true, then this would be a significant blow, and would be very helpful not just to the United States but also to our Pakistani partners,” spokesman George Little told reporters, according to AFP.

Nazir sent insurgents to Afghanistan to wage war on Nato-led troops and operated out of the tribal zone where militants linked to the Taliban and al Qaeda have bases on the Afghan border.

Pakistani officials said the drone strike on Wednesday killed Nazir and five of his loyalists, including two senior deputies.

“This is someone who has a great deal of blood on his hands,” Little said. “This would be a major development.”