Leaders of the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan in Bajaur tribal district on Thursday declared allegiance to the Islamic State ultra-extremist outfit.
The pledge is a serious setback for the banned outfit at a time when it is under attack in its last stronghold of Tirah Valley.
“Chief of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Bajaur Maulana Abu Bakar and his deputy Qari Zahid, all members of the central ‘shura’ (council), commanders, scholars and judges of the Islamic court have recognised Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as Khalifa,” Daish spokesperson for the region Shahidullah Shahid said.
Maulana Abu Bakar, an influential Taliban leader, was appointed TTP Bajaur chief by Hakimullah Mehsud, who was killed in a US drone strike in November 2013.
“TTP Bajaur leaders have declared allegiance to Hafiz Saeed Khan, leader of the Islamic State for Khorasan region,” Shahid said.
Hafiz Saeed Khan, former TTP chief for Orakzai Agency, was the most influential in TTP ranks. The chief along with five senior leaders, including Shahidullah Shahid, joined Daish in October last year.
On Monday, TTP spokesperson Mohammad Khorasani said the group’s Bajaur chief and his deputy had resigned. However, he refrained from giving reasons for their resignation.
The Taliban have not commented on the new development yet.
The TTP central council has elected Sheikh Gul Muhammad as the new leader of Bajaur and Dr Burhan as the deputy chief.
TTP Bajaur leaders operate from Afghanistan’s border regions, including Kunar, security officials say.
