Mangal Bagh-led splinter group returns to TTP fold

KABUL (TTP).

Lashkar-i-Islam (LI) led by Mangal Bagh merged into the TTP, a media report said on Friday. Jamaatul Ahrar spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan the TTP would comprise members of his LI.

Dawn quoted Ehsan as saying the head of the new set-up was yet to be named. The TTP disintegrated last year when a faction led by Omar Khalid Khurasani revolted against Mullah Fazlullah and formed Jamaatul Ahrar.

South Waziristan-based militant leader Khan Said — alias Sajna –also abandoned the The Pakistani Taliban alliance, which had been founded by Baitullah Mehsud in December 2007.

While greeting the “Mujahideen of Pakistan” on their unification, Ehsan said the decision was taken at a meeting attended by Mullah Fazlullah, Omar Khalid Khurasani and Mangal Bagh.

The development comes at a time of full-blown military offensives in North Waziristan and Khyber Agencies, the insurgent strongholds near the Afghanistan border.

PAN Monitor/mud

Visits: 0