Top Taliban commander splits from Mehsud

Lahore, Oct 19 : Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan commander Baitullah Mehsud's opponent faction in North Waziristan has announced the creation of a new parallel organisation, the Muqami Tehreek-e-Taliban or local Taliban, effectively splitting from TTP.

Top commander and former Mehsud lieutenant, Hafiz Gul Bahadar, made the announcement on Friday, the Daily Times reported.

According to the report, "Bahadar also said a decision by a 'shura' or consultation council said that attacks against Pakistani security forces only weaken the cause of the Afghan resistance against foreign forces."

The council urged focus on "fighting against NATO troops in Afghanistan" instead.

The TTP "fell apart due to Mehsud's violent policies against the Pakistani security forces," it said.

ANI