Terrorist Designation of Bahawal Khan

Terrorist Designation of Bahawal Khan

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

August 6, 2013

The Department of State has designated the Commander Nazir Group leader, Bahawal Khan as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism. As a result of the designation, all property subject to U.S. jurisdiction in which Khan has any interest is blocked and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with Khan.

In January of 2013, Bahawal Khan was appointed as the new leader of the Commander Nazir Group (CNG). Since 2006, CNG has run training camps, dispatched suicide bombers, provided safe haven for al-Qaida fighters, and conducted cross-border operations in Afghanistan against the United States and its allies. In addition to its attacks against international forces in Afghanistan, CNG is also responsible for assassinations and intimidation operations against civilians in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Khan has previously served as a sub-commander for CNG in South Waziristan and has 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.

Although CNG has been behind numerous attacks against international forces in Afghanistan, the group has also been known to attack targets in Pakistan. For example, CNG claimed responsibility for a March 2008 vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attack in front of an army brigade headquarters in Zari Noor, South Waziristan, Pakistan, which killed five Pakistani soldiers and injured 11 more. In May 2011, CNG broke a ceasefire agreement and attacked a Pakistani army camp in Wana, Pakistan, with missiles and rockets.

Previously, on February 26, 2013, the Department of State designated CNG and sub-commander Malang Wazir as SDGTs under E.O. 13224.

ENDS

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