10 Taliban groups pledge allegiance to Daish

ISLAMABAD: A video released by the Pakistani chapter of the Baghdadi-led Islamic State (IS) or Daish shows Shahidullah Shahid, the former spokesman of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), pledging allegiance to the Islamic State.

In the IS video, Shahidullah Shahid is seen addressing the jehadis to announce pledges of allegiance to the group from leaders of various groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan thus proving true the fears of agencies about the threat posed by the IS. “We want to inform you that we have brought together the ameers of 10 groups who want to pledge their allegiance to the Caliph Abu Bakar Baghdadi,” he said.

The video was released by the US-based SITE Intelligence Group which tracks online activity of the terrorist groups worldwide. Shahidullah Shahid had abandoned the TTP on October 15, 2014 along with five other Taliban leaders while pledging allegiance to Baghdadi, the self-proclaimed caliph.

Shahidullah’s departure was a major blow to an already struggling Fazlullah because he had laid the foundation of the TTP along with Baitullah Mehsud and was considered close to Hakimullah Mehsud also.

According to the Pakistani security agencies, Shahidullah has close ties with the Afghan Taliban and has spent much of his time in Afghanistan ever since the TTP’s inception in 2007. Going by a recent memo of the Ministry of Interior, the IS aims to stir up sectarian unrest by dispatching local militant group on offensives against Shias.

“The IS claims to have recruited 10,000 to 12,000 followers in tribal areas on the Afghan border, including in the Hangu district of KP, which is known for hostility between Shias and Sunnis,” the memo added while recommending “strict monitoring of militants and extreme vigilance to ward off any terror attacks”.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-295564-10-Taliban-groups-pledge-allegiance-to-Daish