Deputy Ameer of banned organisation Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, Sheikh Khalid Haqqani is expected to lead operations in Pakistan as its functional head.
In the wake of former TTP head Hakeemullah Mehsud's death and the absence of new chief Mullah Fazlullah, who is currently in Afghanistan, Haqqani would be leading the group.
According to Dawn News, Haqqani, who is from the Swabi district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was heading his own militant faction known as the Haqqani Taliban before being a part of the TTP.
Haqqani was once described by TTP's media wing as a close associate of Hakimullah Mehsud and Qari Hussain Mehsud.
Both TTP leaders were killed in US drone strikes on November 1, 2013 and October 7, 2010 respectively.
Haqqani is also said to be the mastermind behind the December 22, 2012 suicide bombing, which resulted in the death of ANP leader Bashir Ahmed Bilour, the report added.
