DHAKA: A top commander of the Pakistani Taliban was shot dead by unidentified gunmen on Monday in the militant stronghold of North Waziristan.

Security sources and family members in the tribal region told media, reports Al Arabiya.

Asmatullah Shaheen was on the Pakistan army’s list of twenty most wanted Taliban commanders, and had had a $120,000 bounty placed on his head since 2009.

He was appointed as interim chief of the Pakistan Taliban following the killing of Hakimullah Mehsud, the previous leader, in a US drone strike on November 1.

Shaheen’s killers ambushed his car as it passed through Dargah Mandi, a village 5 km northwest of Miranshah, the regional capital of North Waziristan.

‘Unidentified gunmen in another car shot and killed Shaheen as well as the driver and guards,’ a family member told media.

Security sources also confirmed the deaths.

BDST: 1646 HRS, FEB 24, 2014