Shahidullah Shahid announced the decision in a video posted online and sent to media persons in Pakistan and posted online. Taliban leaders from Orakzai, Kuram, Khyber agencies, Peshawar and Hangu district are among those who have parted ways with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and joined the IS.
Leaders who have joined the Islamic State include chief of TTP Orakzai tribal region Hafiz Sayed Khan, TTP Khyber Agency leader Gul Zaman, chief of TTP Peshawar Mufti Hasan, TTP head of Hangu Khalid Mansoor and chief of TTP Kurram agency.
“I declare allegiance to the Caliph of Muslims, Amirul Momineen Abu Bakar al Baghdadi al Qarshi al Hussaini. I will listen and follow his every instruction whatever the situation may have been. This allegiance is neither from the TTP or its leader Maulvi Fazlullah. This is only from me and five leaders,” Shahid said.
Shahid added that TTP Chief Mullah Fazlullah has supported the Islamic State but has not declared allegiance.
“I appeal to the Ameerul Momineen to accept my allegiance,” the former TTP leader stated, adding that on at least three occasions he has declared allegiance to the IS.
An Urdu translation of Shahid’s video message has also been emailed to the journalists. He said his real name is Abu Omar alias Al-Khorasani.
The TTP leader’s decision is a serious setback for the Taliban as it is now limited only to the Malakand Taliban.
The powerful Mehsud faction and the Taliban Mohmand agency have already parted ways with the TTP with the Mohmand Taliban forming TTP Jamaat-ul-Ahrar.
TTP leader Mullah Fazlullah has been involved in efforts to reconcile Taliban in recent weeks but his efforts have not produced results, at least two Taliban leaders told The Express Tribune.
Fazlullah also met Mehsud faction leader Khan Sayed alias Sajna recently to encourage him to rejoin the TTP, they said.
"As Sajna had publicly parted ways with the TTP it could take some more time to rejoin the group," a Taliban leader said, satisfied with Fazlullah’s efforts.
COMMENTS (24)
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@Golden Words: Indians voted into power a MASS MURDERER. Can you deny that?
Time to Ponder. I think they have run short of finances and are perhaps joining hands for the want of Most Loved n Yearned Money...Religion, ideology, morality ; none of these at all.....Just Power n Money...to continue their vicious strife not only in Pakistan but Every where after some time......But POWER is for STATE.....and State Shall exercise it continuously and ruthlessly : United we Stand. Long Live Pakistan.
Grave moment for Pakistan to be honest and it must not ignored whatsoever otherwise God forbid we may face some very ugly and devastating consequences. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi
it hardly matter whether part or depart . Nothing is going to pay them . ISIS future is also knouwn to all except few leftovers .
@pakistani: We r deepening our strategic depth. Beware !!!!!!
This is Pakistan's Islam. An inebriated religion at best !!
The TTP have repeatedly made their evil intentions known against the nation of Pakistan. This announcement simply proves that the terrorists from different regions are willing to join hands in order to hamper our peace efforts and achieve their common agenda. At the same time, it becomes important for us to stand united against our common enemies and not indulge in conspiracy theories that shift the advantage in the terrorists favor. Our nations have made a lot of sacrifices in our shared fight against terrorism, and the need of the hour is to build on our improving relationship and work together in order to negate the looming threat.
Ali Khan Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM
What OTHER thing can be expected from Saudi DOGS. TTP
Nah its not the group IK wanted to negotiate with! The result of negotiation now TTP divided and anti state TTP and well exposed who we have to fight it out and who lay down arms!
@the karachi wala: OMG you are the genius-you will rise in your own world
@pr sharma!..we want to eliminate everything that is bad for the nation.....we don't worship personalities.....that's naya Pakistan....
@Golden Words: and India is becoming united nations of trolls who are obsessed with Pakistan...
This is the same group that IK wants to negotiate with .. same group that a significant number of Pakistanis support. Shame on anyone who supports these thugs - they are a disgrace to Pakistan and Islam.
@the karachi wala: And how do you know all this?
I wish the crude prices plummet to 10 dollars a barrel.
It would be good for Pakistan and the US as it would dry up the resources of these Jihadi Countries to fund this insane killing of mostly Muslims by the Saudis, Qataris and the UAE kingdoms in the name of Islam, I wonder which Islam they follow and talk about .
@sharabi: why shud pakistan answer? and to whome shud pakistan answer? IS game is way high for india so better stay away from it
Hunting for greener pastures. Mullah Umer is running out of fuel.
wht happened to allegiance with amirul momineen mulla umar? baghdadi is getting fresh dollars and fresh allegiance
Pakistan is on the way to become the United Nations of terrorists....
Answer it Pakistan
At last, Muslims are leaving their differences behind and uniting as one. Zaid Hamid is already in Iraq acting as the military advisor to the Islamic State high command. This is enough to make any true Muslim proud.
what is the reaction of dreamer of Naya Pakistan?
I'm trying to understand the point of the backdrop that's been used. Imagery of such beauty and serenity doesn't suit the ideology of the TTP spokesman sitting before it.
So we know they are funded by the same source.