**Taliban sack spokesperson in sign of growing divisions
**
DERA ISMAIL KHAN/ISLAMABAD: Pakistan-based Taliban sacked their spokesperson on Tuesday for making remarks that angered their Afghan allies, in a move highlighting efforts to patch up divisions within the increasingly fractured insurgency.
The Pakistani Taliban announced the dismissal of Ehsanullah Ehsan – an outspoken and prominent figure close to TTP’s top brass – in a pamphlet distributed by militants in Pakistan’s North Waziristan region on the Afghan border.
“He has made comments that have raised the danger of divisions between the Pakistani Taliban and the Afghan Taliban,” the pamphlet said.
“The Taliban are our foundation and (Afghan Taliban leader) Mullah Omar is our supreme leader. That is why, from today, Ehsanullah Ehsan is no longer our spokesperson.”
One TTP commander told Reuters that the Afghan Taliban were incensed when Ehsan told a local newspaper that US-Taliban peace talks in Doha would have no effect on the TTP, suggesting that the two movements were “totally different”.
“After Ehsan’s damaging statements, the Afghan Taliban asked us not to use their stationery or their flag,” he said by telephone from North Waziristan. “This is unacceptable for us.”
Ehsan was replaced by Sheikh Maqbool, a man who is considered close to the Afghan Taliban and has spent much of his time since 2007 in Afghanistan.
Ehsanullah Ehsan did a good job for the TTP, prominentaly and swiftly owning anything happening anywhere in the world. Rahman Malik had announced a Rs200 million bounty for information leading to the sacked spokesman. But just like other TTP targests, Pakistani authorities remained failed in getting any of their targets.
We saw creation of another militant wing — Ansaar-ul-Mujahideen — a couple of days ago which vowed to squeeze breathing space for the US and its allies. The group may hire freshly laid-off Ehsan who is amply experienced for the job. I hope they offer him a good package.
Re: Taliban sack spokesperson in sign of growing divisions
This is a cushy job, a public announcement kind of service at best. Just have to accept responsibility of terror attacks, no danger of being caught by the army or intelligence.
Re: Taliban sack spokesperson in sign of growing divisions
This is a cushy job, a public announcement kind of service at best. Just have to accept responsibility of terror attacks, no danger of being caught by the army or intelligence.
Re: Taliban sack spokesperson in sign of growing divisions
they are just trying to counter the belief which is now getting stronger that TTP's motives and agenda is entirely different from Afghan Taliban. Specially after that offensive in Kunar (Afghanistan) and Mohmand (Pakistan) where Afghan Taliban moved to eliminate TTP's hideouts inside Afghanistan.
Re: Taliban sack spokesperson in sign of growing divisions
^ anti terror laws need to be changed, and witnesses/judges should be provided security otherwise the terrorists will keep on getting free where as petty criminals will be punished through our judicial system.
Re: Taliban sack spokesperson in sign of growing divisions
We shouldn’t be surprise to read about their hypocritical ways. Unfortunately for them, the people started seeing the truth and it became obvious they are only concerned with achieving their deadly objectives. They’ve left no doubts in regards to their dangerous agenda in the region. Thousands of innocent people have fallen victims to their acts of terror. We’ve lost thousands of brave soldiers in fighting TTP and their affiliates on both sides of the border. Our shared will and desire to stabilize the region has given us the strength and motivation to remain unified against our common enemies. We will not let these extremist organizations deter us from achieving our peace objectives in the region, and continue to work together for the betterment of the region.
