Afghan Taliban deny involvement in plans to attack TTP bases
TTP spokesperson accuses LeT, AI and Al-badr of planning assault.
Afghan Taliban deny allegations that the group was involved in preparations for an assault on TTP bases. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The Afghan Taliban on Monday denied allegations that the group was involved in preparations for an assault on bases of the Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the Mohmand tribal region.
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.
The Afghan Taliban on Monday denied allegations that the group was involved in preparations for an assault on bases of the Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the Mohmand tribal region.
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.