Intelligence sources in South Waziristan tribal area say Taliban commander Maulvi Abbas has been killed. Local authorities said that an explosion on Friday morning at the busy Rustam Bazaar in the town of Wana killed three people, including a son of Abbas. Six others were reportedly injured.

Security forces cordoned off the area following the attack, which apparently targeted Abbas, a commander previously affiliated with Uzbek militants. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack. South Waziristan, located near the Afghan border, is plagued by violent insurgent activity.

Copyright Independent News Pakistan, 2012