Taliban, a militant network comprising 13 different, and sometimes rival, factions. His death created a power vacuum that led to a power struggle within the TTP. On 16 August 2009, an alleged group of fighters loyal to Baitullah Mehsud, armed with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), attacked a group of Nazir's men, killing at least 17 militants. According to Nazir's spokesman Shaheen Wazir, the attack was so sudden, that Nazir's fighters couldn't even fire back. It was also reported that Nazir himself was one of the 17 men killed. Baitullah Mehsud's camp denied the accusations. Abdul Haq, another spokesman for Nazir said he didn't know whether Mehsud's loyalists or the Pakistan Army were behind the attack. Efforts against Nazir In October 2011, Nazir's brother Hazrat Umar was killed along with several other militants in a US drone strike in South Waziristan. Local residents confirmed Hazrat Umar's death. Death A U.S. drone strike killed Maulvi Nazir on 2 January 2013 in Angoor Adda, near the capital of Wana, South Waziristan. Bahawal Khan, also known as Salahuddin Ayubi, was announced as Nazir's successor. References Taliban leaders 1975 births 2013 deaths Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan members Pashtun people Pakistani people of Afghan descent Afghan people of Pakistani descent Deaths by United States drone strikes in Pakistan