Afghan Taliban seek tribesmen’s help to stop TTP infighting

Zahir Shah Sherazi Published April 14, 2014

PESHAWAR: A pamphlet attributed to the Afghan Taliban and distributed in parts of North Waziristan Agency has confirmed serious differences among the Mehsud Taliban and the infighting which has left a number of militants killed on both sides.

The Pashto language Pamphlet, with letter head of Afghan Taliban’s chief Mullah Umar, has not only mentioned the conflict among the Mehsud Taliban groups which forms major part of TTP but also appealed to the local tribesmen to pray and resolve the conflict.

The pamphlet has also appealed to the Taliban groups to play their role in defusing the tension and stopping the infighting between Hakimullah Mehsud group led by Sheryar Mehsud and Khan Said Sajna group, affiliated earlier to Waliur Rehman Mehsud group.

The authenticity of the letter, however, could not be verified from the Afghan Taliban but a copy of the letter is available with Dawn.com.

–A copy of the pamphlet distributed allegedly by Afghan Taliban

On the other hand a member of the Hakimullah Mehsud group, Haji Daud who claimed to be its spokesman has also confirmed to the media that their group is in conflict with Khan Said Sajna group.

He said that the Sajna group wanted to take over the Meshsud Taliban’s command and establish its authority in South Waziristan’s Mehsud belt which was not acceptable to them.

Daud added that the group would accept the authority of any group only if endorsed by TTP chief Mullah Fazlullah.

The umbrella TTP group on the other hand has termed the internal rift a petty issue and had blamed the media for creating hype.

A key member of the TTP shura, Azam Tariq told Dawn.com that the Mehsud Taliban’s dispute has been resolved and it was not a “big problem” any more.

About the extension in ceasefire with the government and other issues, he said that reports about it were premature and the matter would be decided by the Shura soon.

He said that a ceasefire has been established between the two Taliban groups and there would be no more fighting between them.

The armed clashes between the militant groups over a period of a week have left over 40 militants dead on both sides.

Pakistan

Several TTP militants killed in latest Waziristan infighting

Militants kidnap 40 tribesmen from Tirah valley: sources

TTP shura meeting underway

Zameer

Apr 15, 2014 12:13am

TTP are remnants of Red Moque vigilantes. They were only formed in 2007 after Maulana Abdul Aziz Ghazi tried to flee in burqa. Afghan Taliban, formed in 1990s, do not support attack on Pakistan whereas TTP consider us their enemy.

Recommend 0

farooq Mughal

Apr 15, 2014 01:08am

Lets supply arms to both groups, that's the best way to weaken these murderers.

Recommend 0

ahmed

Apr 15, 2014 01:32am

Good job, Nawaz Sharif. The carrot and stick approach has clearly sown confusion among these half-brained taliban. With 40 of these criminals killed fighting one another without the need for our soldiers to do anything or for resources to be wasted defending Pakistan from them. If this continues, Pakistan may actually be freed from this terrorism disease.

Recommend 0

Shahzad

Apr 15, 2014 01:34am

TTP and Afghan Taliban are just savages. They kill innocent and when got free due to cease fire, started killing each other. Our rulers still keep their eyes closed and can't foresee their nefarious plans which are evident to even a common person. Negotiating with these murderers is equally cruel because by doing this, rulers have succumbed to their cruelties. God bless this Nation.

Recommend 0

independentthinker

Apr 15, 2014 01:39am

You know your country is in trouble, when even the insurgents who are there to terrorize people and create fear, are too busy fighting amongst each other. This is what happens when you are dealing with illiterate barbarians - who don't have brains to think logically. And our government wants to negotiate with them? These folks are evil and they can never be civil. Either deport them or get rid of them. Reasoning with them will cause more heartache and pain.

Recommend 0

Shahzad

Apr 15, 2014 01:57am

These savages must not be allowed to roam freely in any part of this country. Who allowed them to distribute these pamphlets? What about constitution, law and democracy etc or these are all words to be repeated on talk shows only?

Recommend 0

yousapzai

Apr 15, 2014 02:39am

Does it look like they need more arms????????

Recommend 0

Ravi Dallas Tx

Apr 15, 2014 04:04am

@farooq Mughal: lol

Recommend 0

Shuaib

Apr 15, 2014 04:21am

The Taliban blamed the media?! GREAT! The media should make false reports about the Taliban - it is a weapon which should be used against them. The public will support it and they will fight amongst themselves. A win-win situation!! :D

Recommend 0

Usman Khan

Apr 15, 2014 04:58am

We are so worried about the Taliban killing each other, Let's help them get united. Said no Pakistani ever!!!

Recommend 0

Whistle

Apr 15, 2014 05:24am

@Zameer: Yeah. So Afghan Taliban is a good Taliban. They don't consider 'us' as their enemy. But they can go and kill those in Afghanistan and elsewhere. Good thinking and logic.

Recommend 0

pukhtoonyar

Apr 15, 2014 05:35am

@Zameer...those that support military operation in tribal region are ignorant of complexity of the issue and are also not capable of realizing that a military style operation would not just destroy that left over infra-structure of the tribal region but would cause un-quantifiable collateral damage. it will back fire as it always has (like your example;lal-masjid). Any operation that can not be conducted in karachi shall not be conducted in the tribal region as firstly karachi is a bigger hub of terrorism than tribal region and secondly if the people of karachi can not be bombarded from the sky then why the tribal people? But i pity those that think that afghan and pakistan taliban are totally different for their ignorance has touched new heights. You clearly do not understand the dynamics of how afghan taliban were formed and how they were not just a catalyst but in-fact the driving force in forming pakistan taliban. This hypocrisy is what has led us to this day. The only way forward is to realize our mistakes, learn from them and act in the interest of the people not in any organization (like militry incorporation or mian bradran and sons) or the perceived interest of the state (like strategic depth).

Recommend 0

Amir Bangash

Apr 15, 2014 05:54am

The fact is that local tribesmen have now recognised the real faces of militants groups and their imported version of Islam. These militant groups have been committing great atrocities against the local tribesmen. It is in the interest of all militant groups to vacate the area or else the locals will also make them an example for others involved in disrupting peace in FATA.

Recommend 0

Awais

Apr 15, 2014 06:27am

@farooq Mughal: Shows that they are nothing more than gangsters fighting over territory

Recommend 0

ANWAR SYED

Apr 15, 2014 07:16am

Islamic Republic of Pakistan is really not a 100% Muslim country. Majority of Pakistani love to follow western culture and so on. Most of the educated Pakistani wanted to leave Pakistan due to many reasons and they know that it will be better for them & their families to live abroad, because future is very dark and there is no light end of the tunnel.

Recommend 0

Aftab Alam Khan

Apr 15, 2014 07:24am

To finish evil Almighty has its own way, no dron attack or military operation needed.

Recommend 0

Norran

Apr 15, 2014 11:18am

whole Taliban MADE by Pakistan ISI and used only for their proposed, ISI don't care for public and construction what is their income from such terrorist groups, they have training comps in Queeta and FATA free the go and come they used against any one

Recommend 0