Swat Taliban Maulvi Fazlullah. PHOTO: FILE
Fazullah will be taking the place of Hakimullah Mehsud, who was killed in a US drone strike on Friday.
Fazlullah led the Taliban's brutal two-year rule in Swat valley in 2007-2009 before a military operation retook the area. The Fazlullah-led Taliban's advances on neighbouring districts of Buner and Dir had prompted the Army to respond. They restored peace after a year of deadly battles.
It was earlier reported that the Afghan Taliban were providing sanctuary for Mullah Fazlullah, in Kunar province.
Read: Foreign support: Afghan Taliban bankrolling our fighters says TTP
Earlier this year, the Swat Taliban released a video to accept the killing of Maj General Sanaullah, and showed Fazlullah celebrating the attack’s success. In the video, he had expressed great happiness that the attack had targeted a police official.
Local and foreign media misreported Fazlullah's death multiple times, including this year.
Prior to the announcement, the BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad said that Mullah Fazlullah was not a member of the Mehsud clan and, if appointed, would face a challenge to control the Mehsud fighters, who make up the bulk of the Taliban's manpower.
Who is Fazlullah?
Also nicknamed “Mullah Radio”, Fazlullah was the leader of banned militant outfit Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM).
Known for his fiery radio broadcasts in Swat Valley, he was also sometimes referred to as chief of the Swat Taliban.
Fazlullah managed to regroup in Afghanistan and established strongholds and local support.
Maulana Fazlullah brought public floggings to Swat and responsible for Malala shooting. First non-Waziristani to head Pakistani Taliban.
— Declan Walsh (@declanwalsh) November 7, 2013
COMMENTS (114)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1725254039-0/Untitled-design-(24)1725254039-0-270x192.webp "no talks currently taking place as dialogue can t be held under threats mohsin naqvi")
1732189200-0/Express-Tribune-(13)1732189200-0-270x192.webp "at least 38 killed as gunmen open fire on vehicles in kurram district")
1732186994-0/Untitled-design-(10)1732186994-0-270x192.webp "pm shehbaz awards rs5m to fbr officer for exposing major tax fraud")
What is the world's best intelligence agency - ISI, doing?
I am surprised, 'Drone' has become a verb in Pakistan..! So much popularity..!!
@FaiselH: it's up and coming.
The way they announce it, looks like he is selected as a chief of INTEL Corporation or MICROSOFT....
Forget him - Wonder who the next leader will be after him - actually the one after the one after etc.
@FaiselH: Man, you've some real good sense of Humor. you've made me laugh out loud.
tweet it to NFP , pls.
@ASQ: You've expressed my feeling. shot 'em all down. or may be bombout. I don't know, just kill those ................
America will be gone next year, and Pakistan will be left with this mess that is the TTP, who are clearly not defeated. And then?
Tomorrow at lunch time both chairmen Mullah Fazullah and Imran Khan will be live at @InsafRadio FM.
A polite request to ET-could you please remove this guys (the terrorist) picture, it literally hurts my eyes as I see it.
@FaiselH: Sure it will be soon
This is simply revenge nomination. Anyhow blessed drones will very soon do its usual job. What a shame for those who were dying to have negotiations with these Count Dracula type of human beings in our.country which we so profoundly call Pakistan. Land of pure.
We've defeated him before and pushed him out all the way to Afghanistan. I think all that remains to be seen is who will get their hands on him first? The Americans, or commanders from the Mehsud clan out for power?
Welcome! since long waiting and lot of things pending of swat to be settled by our faujis with him,count is fast.
"Local and foreign media misreported Fazlullah’s death multiple times, including this year." Sorry for the mistake we would not miss him this time. There is a drone and missile already named after him.
At the time when the very integrity of Pakistan is at stake and it is financially bankrupt, it is not clear why the establishment is keeping the taliban alive.
What more is needed to spur action ?
Worst replacing the bad. Pakistan's own reared sons now bleeding Pakistan.
This great man is the right person to usher us into the 21st century BC.
Like others, inshallah this terrorist will also be eliminated soon by drones.
I thought they would have chosen Imran Khan as their new leader.
@Khan:
Now that is a joke and “interestingly” a proof (deliberately / foolishly) that AFGHAN Govt. has started supporting TTP.
Was Swat handed over to him by Afghanistan? Did not know that Swat was in Afghanistan.
Thanks for telling me.
The butcher of Swat is now the TTP chief. This time will be on the run soon just like he ran from Swat.
Look... It seems all Anti-Americans have turned Pro-Americans in a matter of a week... Anti-drone campaign to Pro-drone campaign... Everyone is supporting drone attacks now... They are begging the Americans to eliminate TTP leaders... What a strong, secure and stable nuclear power... It's amazing to see the inconsistency in the minds of people when it comes to drones... Lack of sovereignty has made Pakistanis confused... Earlier they protested for violation of sovereignty.. Now asking the Americans to violate sovereignty to target TTP..Interesting...
He soon be launching new FM Channel with support of Sir Imran Khan. And their Channel buildings across Pakistan will be act as Official Offices of TTP, confirmed by Sir Imran Khan.
Imran Khan must be terribly dissapointed, he must have been sure that this time he will be chosen. The selection committee has not chosen on merit after who has done more for the Taliban?
Look... It seems all Anti-Americans have turned Pro-Americans in a matter of a week... Anti-drone campaign to Pro-drone campaign... Everyone is supporting drone attacks now... They are begging the Americans to eliminate TTP leaders... What a strong, secure and stable nuclear power... It's amazing to see the inconsistency in the minds of people when it comes to drones... Lack of sovereignty has made Pakistanis confused... Earlier they protested for violation of sovereignty.. Now asking the Americans to violate sovereignty to target TTP..Interesting...
Look... It seems all Anti-Americans have turned Pro-Americans in a matter of a week... Anti-drone campaign to Pro-drone campaign... Everyone is supporting drone attacks now... They are begging the Americans to eliminate TTP leaders... What a strong, secure and stable nuclear power... It's amazing to see the inconsistency in the minds of people when it comes to drones... Lack of sovereignty has made Pakistanis confused... Earlier they protested for violation of sovereignty.. Now asking the Americans to violate sovereignty to target TTP..Interesting...
He soon be launching new FM Channel with support of Sir Imran Khan.
Imran Khan nust be terribly dissapointed, he must have been very confident that this time they would chose him. The selection committee has not chosen on the basis of merit, who else has done more for the Taliban?
Mullah Fazlullah:a star is reborn. May drone be upon him and he be martyred as soon as possible. Inshallah.
A drone will sort him out