Afghan Taliban deny allegations that the group was involved in preparations for an assault on TTP bases. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
TTP spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan had earlier said that hundreds of heavily armed militants belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Ansarul Islam and Al-badr Mujahideen are planning attacks against the group, and are reported to be using the name of Afghan Taliban.
However, Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Afghan Taliban dispelled the claims as false and reiterated that the group does not involve itself in any conflicts outside Afghanistan.
“We are engaged in major operations inside Afghanistan and we do not allow our fighters to interfere beyond the border,” Mujahid told The Express Tribune, clarifying the apprehensions of the TTP spokesperson.
Although Mujahid categorically denied the involvement of the Afghan Taliban in the possible offensive against the TTP, The Express Tribune has learnt that supporters of an Afghan Taliban commander in Kunar province, Haji Mateen, have joined hands with other Pakistani militant groups to strike deep into TTP bases.
According to TTP sources, the group’s leaders have contacted commanders of the Afghan Taliban leaders, asking them to stay away from any conflict.
The Express Tribune has gathered information which suggests that commander Sheikh Abdul Rahim, a leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba is spearheading his fighters in the possible assault on TTP bases in Mohmand.
Yet officially, the Lashkar-e-Taiba seems to be denying any involvement in a large scale attack with the group’s spokesperson Abdullah Ghaznavi, denying any role in the possible attack on TTP supporters, claiming that the group’s activities are limited to actions against Indian forces in Indian-held Kashmir.
Despite public rebuttals of connivance in a possible assault on TTP bases, The Express Tribune has learnt that fighters belonging to Ahle-Hadith school of thought are currently operating in the Mohmand border region and are part of the coming anti-TTP operation.
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"The Express Tribune has gathered information The Express Tribune has learnt " both of these sentences sound highly controversial - unauthentic
@Thoughtful: "And still you persist ,with your kaptaan ,in delighting in the good taliban vs the bad taliban."
Minor correction. According to the kaptaan there is no bad Taliban only misguided tribals angered by drones. He tweeted even against the droning of Wali Ur Rehman.
Is it that the Pakistani establishment has come full circle and has devised this way of getting rid of all the terrorists from its soil? And what better way than to get them to fight each other? Then the remaining can be finished off by their security forces. Bravo to the guy who thought of this plan.
And still you persist ,with your kaptaan ,in delighting in the good taliban vs the bad taliban. Never mind the cost to your neighborhood have you no thought to the cost to yourselves? Amazing.
From the co-relation of the statements and action of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, it would appear that Pakistan (particularly the FATA/Waziristan area) is the NEW India! In fact this kind of farce is likely to be seen more and more in the years ahead...
Let them fight each other. Once they become weak, the army should launch an all out offensive to finish this menace once and for all. There should be no distinction between the good, bad or ugly Taliban. They should all be sent to heaven on a one-way ticket.
Swinish power struggle!!