July 21, 2008	Monday	Rajab 17, 1429

KHAR, July 20: Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah Mehsud has sought explanation from Commander Umer Khalid for executing Commander Shah Khalid, his deputy Ubaidulllah and other men of his group.

Taliban spokesman Maulvi Umer told journalists by phone from an undisclosed location that TTP had formed an investigation committee, which left for Mohmand tribal region to probe the clash between two groups of Taliban.

He said that Umer Khalid would explain to committee why his group had killed the fighters of his rival group. “Action would be taken against him if he failed to satisfy the members of the probe committee,” the spokesman added.

He said that TTP chief Baitullah Mehsud had expressed deep grief and sorrow over the killing of about ten people in clashes between Shah Khalid and Umer Khalid groups. He said both the groups were part of TTP and the infighting could weaken Taliban movement in the region.

He said the killed people of Shah group were members of TTP as they had recently took oath of allegiance to Baitullah Mesud and formally joined the Tehrik.

To a question, the spokesman said the Emirate Islami had set up a committee to sort out differences between the two groups.

The committee had succeeded to some extent but due to the abrupt and extreme action by the Umer Khalid group it could not be able to broker an early agreement, he added.

He said the entire leadership of the Tehriki-iTaliban had shocked over the killing of the men of the Shah Khalid group and expressed sympathies with the bereaved families.