Share this story!            

Militant group orders Baitullah’s Taliban to leave Khyber Agency

* Conflict visible between jihadist groups after eviction order

By Iqbal Khattak

PESHAWAR: Conflict has arisen between anti-United States jihadi groups, as Amar Bil Maroof Wa Nahi Anil Munker chief Haji Namdar has ordered all Baitullah Mehsud-led militants to leave the Khyber Agency, following claims of responsibility for the suicide attack on him on Thursday.

“All militants belonging to Baitullah Mehsud’s group have been ordered to leave the Khyber Agency following the confirmation that the suicide attack on Namdar was ordered by Baitullah,” a close aide to Namdar told Daily Times on Saturday.

Around 20 people were injured in the attack at Namdar’s headquarters near Bara town in the Khyber Agency. The Hakeemullah Group, which is led by Baitullah’s deputy Hakeemullah Mehsud, claimed the responsibility for the attack. “I have been told by Baitullah’s supporters that four more suicide bombers are on their way to kill me,” Namdar was quoted as saying. “I will not allow Baitullah to set up his own state in the Tribal Areas.”

Sources close to Namdar quoted Hakeemullah as telling him that the attack was ordered following “documentary evidence that you (Namdar) are a government puppet posing as a mujahid”. Hakeemullah was referring to the publication of a picture in a Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily on Wednesday in which Namdar was sitting with Frontier Corps (FC) Colonel Mujahid Hussain.

“We have ordered the attack to kill you because the picture leaves no doubt about your credibility,” Hakeemullah reportedly told Namdar on phone while requesting the remains of the bomber. Security officials said the rivalry between Baitullah and Namdar could lead to more bloodshed in near future.

Relations between the Hakeemullah Group and Namdar’s organisation became tense following Namdar’s orders to release seven FC soldiers kidnapped by Hakeemullah on April 21.

Home | National

Share this story!