- Khan Said Sajna announces separation from TTP central, establishes his own group, accuses Fazlullah of running TTP affairs with dirty money
In the wake of rifts and hostilities within the ranks of banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a Taliban faction headed by Khan Said Sajna has declared disassociation from TTP, announcing the establishment of a new group comprising Mehsud fighters.
The awaited announcement was made by Sajna’s spokesman Azam Tariq Wednesday.
Khan Said Sajna, renamed as Khalid Mehsud, will be the new chief of the banned TTP faction. The faction, according to Azam Tariq, will be in an alliance with Emirate Islami Afghanistan headed by Mullah Mohammad Omar Akhund.
SAJNA CANNOT WORK WITH DIRTY MONEY:
Justifying disassociation from TTP and establishment of the new group, Azam Tariq alleged, “Affairs of TTP have been handed over to incompetent elements under a well-planned conspiracy.” He, however, claimed that they made hectic efforts for reforms but were unsuccessful.
Accusing leaders and office-holders of banned TTP for involvement in criminal and other anti-social acts, Azam Tariq said: “Affairs of the organisation are being run through resources generated from extortion money and robberies.” He also said that they had reservations over banned TTP’s involvement in violent acts, especially suicide attacks and bombings in mosques and madrassas.
THE FRUITS OF SALAFISM:
Furthermore, Azam Tariq said, “Preaching in favour of different thoughts and beliefs [Salafi and Wahabi] has disheartened people who believe in different school of thoughts.”
TTP chief Mullah Fazlullah, his deputy Khaliq Haqqani and others believe in Salafi or Wahabi school of thought.
Couple of weeks ago, Fazlullah had ordered the removal of Khan Said Sajna from his office as the TTP chief for South Waziristan and empowered Khalid Haqqani for the interim period. Later on, Khalid Khurasani was declared as chief for both North and South Waziristan. However, Sajana had opposed Fazlullah’s decision.
