PESHAWAR: The Afghan Taliban have denied that they distributed any pamphlets in the name of their leader Mullah Muhammad Umar in Pakistan’s North Waziristan tribal region as a parts of efforts to resolve differences between two rival factions of the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
On Monday, the pamphlet which was reportedly distributed in Miramshah area of North Waziristan and written in Pashto carried head of Afghan Taliban’s name called for seeking guidance from the Holy Quran to resolve differences between Khan Said and Sheheryar groups of the TTP.
In an email, the Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said on Tuesday that there is no truth in the association of the pamphlet with Omar, adding that the leadership of the Afghan Taliban have no knowledge of it.
The spokesman said that the pamphlets appear to have been taken out by local group(s) and had no association with the Afghan Taliban leadership.
The pamphlet stated that there were serious differences among fighters of the Mehsud tribe in South Waziristan. The pamphlet asked them to recite verses from Quran to end hostilities.
A large number of militants have been killed and injured in clashes between the Khan Said and Sheheryar groups as they are fighting to capture the TTP leadership in South Waziristan. Sheheryar has refused to accept Khan Said alias Sajna as chief of TTP’s Mehsud militants and has declared himself as their leader.
