The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Monday condemned the killing of al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad by US special forces, saying the organisation had assassinated PPP leader Benazir Bhutto in a suicide attack and would avenge the killing of their slain leader, a private TV channel reported.
The militant group released an audio tape in which it said that Pakistan would remain the prime target in the revenge campaign, as it warned Pakistan and the United States of reprisal. The TTP said the US succeeded to eliminate Osama after a 10-year manhunt but it would now have to face the consequences. “Now Pakistani rulers, President Zardari and the army will be our first targets. America will be our second target,” Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan said.
“These people are in fact the enemies of Islam,” he added. Also, members of militant Islamist forums said they prayed the news of Osama Bin Laden’s death was not true and hinted at retaliation if it was. “Oh God, please make this news not true… God curse you Obama,” said one message on an Arabic language forum.
“Oh Americans… it is still legal for us to cut your necks.” “Osama may be killed but his message of jihad will never die. Brothers and sisters, wait and see, his death will be a blessing in disguise,” said a poster on another Islamist forum.
Taliban say they killed Benazir, will avenge Osama’s killing
