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PESHAWAR: Six top commanders of the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, including spokesman Shahidullah Shahid, have announced their allegiance to Abu Bakar Al-Baghdadi of the Islamic State and an allegiance statement was also issued in this regard.
Shahidullah Shahid in the statement said he along with five TTP district chiefs have announced their allegiance to IS, also known as Daish, and would be their lead fighters in Pakistan.
The statement did not elaborate on the stance of the six on Mullah Omar, chief of the Afghan Taliban widely regarded by militant groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan as the Amirul Momineen (leader of the faithful).
“I am confirming my allegiance to Amirul Momineen Abu Bakar Al-Baghdadi and would abide by all his decisions, whatever is the order, and whatsoever the circumstances, I shall be loyal to him and obey his orders,” Shaidullah Shahid said in a statement issued in Arabic and Urdu.
Also read: Two ‘caliphs’
Shahidullah said he along with TTP amir for Orakzai Agency Saeed Khan, TTP’s Kurram Agency chapter chief Daulat Khan, Fateh Gul Zaman, who heads TTP in Khyber Agency, TTP’s Peshawar amir Mufti Hassan and TTP’s Hangu chief Khalid Mansoor, was announcing allegiance to Abu Bakar Al-Baghdadi Al Qureshi Al-Hussaini.
Shahidullah further said that the statement was on his and the five commanders’ behalf and had nothing to do with TTP.
He added that TTP chief Mullah Fazlluah had extended his support to Al-Baghdadi but had not announced allegiance to Daish. How will the decision of the six TTP commanders be viewed and taken by Fazlullah whose allegiance currently lies with Mullah Omar is still a matter of speculation but the announcement comes at a time when the outlawed group is already experiencing fissures and is the main target of a military operation in North Waziristan.
Shahidullah further said that he had already extended his allegiance three times to Al-Baghdadi and it was the fourth time that he and his associates were extending allegiance to the IS chief.
Shahidullah said he first announced support to Al-Bagdadi before the latter’s announcement of Khilafat, the second time in last Ramazan through Abu Huda Sudani, a third time through Abu Al-Khitab Shami through telephone and now again.
With the IS trying to make inroads into South Asia, there are concerns about further turmoil in the region.
The TTP has been beset by bitter internal rivalries over the past year, with the influential Mehsud tribal faction of the group refusing to accept the authority of Fazlullah, who came to power in late 2013.
It moreover appears that IS, in an effort to extend its global reach, is aiming to exploit these rivalries to its advantage and wade into the region.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (107) Closed
Oct 14, 2014 01:59pm
One side honest people are trying to make country prosperous other side are these people who are taking country to stone age ! High time people understand this. I am surprised how can people tolerate killers. How is one human superior then another that they can kill another. Social killers, none will be forgiven in the end when they face god.
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Oct 14, 2014 02:03pm
Another pandora box is in store for America and this time there will be about a dozen counters to cater and just one chef Kerry
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Oct 14, 2014 02:12pm
Eventually all terrorists unite. Can't India, Pakistan and China come together in a mission to eliminate all terrorists from the soil of Pakistan and Afghanistan? India and Pakistan needs to collaborate rather than fighting with each other. After the ISIS take over Pakistan with the help of the Taliban, India is next on their rather and Kashmir is a soft spot with infiltration happening every now and then under the cover of border clashes between the armies. Both nations either unite in their fight against terrorism or wait for their turn to bear the consequences individually.
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Oct 14, 2014 02:14pm
My God......... where this country is going ?
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Oct 14, 2014 02:30pm
so does this mean sectarian violence may return to Kurram and Hangu? which have remained quiet for the last three years. Some brain storming exercise by analysts is the need of the hour on this development.
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Oct 14, 2014 02:44pm
So what is the impact on operation Zarb-e-azb? It will be extended or reduced or aligned or there is no impact?
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Oct 14, 2014 02:44pm
@Ahmedsunny - I am surprised that you are surprised. What else to expect from Taliban?
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Oct 14, 2014 02:46pm
Let's hope IS would find it very very difficult to carry out it's nefarious agenda in Pakistan. It is important to educate people against the likes of Shahid Ullah Shahid. Terrorists thrive on illiterate and semi-literate people. The tide is turning gradually against the Taliban as the concept of "good" and "bad" Taliban is dead in Pakistan. They are uniformly hated now and are running out of sympathy. Of course, Afghanistan is still the preferred holiday resort for terrorists !
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Oct 14, 2014 02:47pm
The Serpent is sneaking into Pakistan, If unchecked it is going wreck havoc !!
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Oct 14, 2014 02:47pm
ISIS are widely funded by America to have their bases in Muslim countries , Turkey did the same the gave their own land to use against them nd in future Turkey will face the same what Afghanistan had faced because of American allegiance ..
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Oct 14, 2014 03:04pm
@Ahmed In fact It is the Saudis that are funding the terrorist groups, the whabis.
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Oct 14, 2014 03:10pm
Dear pakistanis, forget Kashmir for now,It is not going anywhere Save your country from TTP, ISIS etc etc
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Oct 14, 2014 03:11pm
@Ahmed Always blame other as always and in this way ruin yourself without keeping your house in order
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Oct 14, 2014 03:16pm
@jj correct!
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Oct 14, 2014 03:19pm
TTP is still stronger than ever, that too in a country like Pakistan, where scores of terrorists killed according to Pakistan news media.
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Oct 14, 2014 03:21pm
Must say Baghdadi is a young and charismatic leader , i owe my allegiance too.
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Oct 14, 2014 03:27pm
I would like to hear the views of IK on this action by his brothers in TTP.
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Oct 14, 2014 03:28pm
how come they still send messages to media inspite of full scale operation going on in Waziristan.
track the IP address from where the email came from and hunt them down. Hope its not that difficult.
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Oct 14, 2014 03:30pm
@Muhammad Shoaib. Why sectarian violence will return to Kurram and Hangu? I hope it is not your wishful thinking.The people of Hangu and Kurram are now well aware of such plots in the past and united against their real enemies.
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Oct 14, 2014 03:44pm
@Ahmed please come with proof , not conspiracies theory . Your country can present all documents in UN then UN will take action against .
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Oct 14, 2014 03:45pm
I am indian and suppose to be your "enemy". But believe me, you are facing threat not from india but these fanatics. They will destroy all signs of civilization and flog you to stoneage. The rich will flee to west and see massive migration to India.
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Oct 14, 2014 03:45pm
Why such killers of innocent people & thugs are not apprehended by our security apparatus. These goons openly give statements on print & electronic media and it seems that they are free to give misleading statements. Even media give space to such stupid statements of them which is not a responsible reporting.
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Oct 14, 2014 03:47pm
Look at them, how quickly and easily they are switching their allegiances. I hope this reveals the true face of their movement to those people who still glorifies their atrocities, appreciate their inhumane fight and consider them Mujahideen.
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Oct 14, 2014 03:59pm
@Brave Pakistan VPN is available to hide IP address. I am sure these idiots have mind to use VPN for hiding their locations.
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Oct 14, 2014 04:02pm
Our past governments have been sleeping, our present government is sleeping and of course our future governments (whoever they are) will also sleep on this important subject. They all hold and will hold Nero's flute in the hand when they tend to be awake.
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Oct 14, 2014 04:03pm
This is a statement for the sake of a statement. They want to remain in media. TTP always showed its allegiance to Al-Qaida. Now TTP is supporting Caliph Baghdadi. The question arises that how come TTP can hold Baghdadi (IS) and Al-Zawahiri (AL-Qaida) hands when Baghdadi and Zawahiri are enemies to each other?
The big difference between IS and Al-Qaida is on killing Shias.
Does Shahidullah Shahid know the politics between his Arab brothers? He should have consulted Mullah Omar before making his statement.
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Oct 14, 2014 04:51pm
@raj - If you are looking for a proof against ISIS as to who is behind funding it then do not read the mainstream media. There are tons of independent and alternative media outlets that will give you much more accurate information than the CNN, the BBC, the MSNBC or the Fox. ISIS was funded by the Saudis and the Qataris and the arms were supplied by the US and the UK. The agenda was to remove Assad from Syria. It is all about the oil and gas.
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Oct 14, 2014 04:57pm
All the Indians in this Comments section trying to remind Pakistan that India isn't a problem and TTP is.
Firstly, we have broken the back of TTP and their operational abilities! just because they declare allegiance with IS doesn't make them any different or stronger. This was expected. Second, India will remain a problem until it refuses to give Kashmiris a right of self-determination. I speak as a Kashmiri Pakistani.
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Oct 14, 2014 05:13pm
All this proves is that the TTP is so divided and fractured, and its commanders so desperate for any sort of material and financial aid that they will pledge their allegiance to just about anyone. Just goes to show that all the efforts afforded by Pakistan's security apparatus has broken Al-Qaeda in Pakistan. Also I'd like to see how exactly this will change the ground realities, after all the military is going after all targets regardless of who their 'caliph' is. I wouldn't be surprised if this leads to greater infighting among the various banned terror groups. Again this will only hasten their demise. Pakistan's only concern right now is to eliminate all terror outfits and secure the border before NATO/ISAF pullout from Afghanistan is complete.
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Oct 14, 2014 05:13pm
@Ahmed : you are not getting the point. If Kashmir is not resolved, that is not going to destroy Pakistsn. but if ISIS and TTP is not contained early enough, it will destroy Pakistan.
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Oct 14, 2014 05:15pm
Get rid of all these goons now before innocent people lose lives.
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Oct 14, 2014 05:18pm
@Ahmed, stick your head in sand and start blaming other countries. Wake up and smell the coffee and be ready to fight these goons.
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Oct 14, 2014 05:18pm
A good comment from Payal "Eventually all terrorists unite. Can't India, Pakistan and China come together in a mission to eliminate all terrorists from the soil of Pakistan and Afghanistan?" Pakistan should give a serious consideration to this suggestion. India and China would surely agree!
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Oct 14, 2014 05:42pm
pak army must kill these monster's before they spread their wings. they are enemies of islam and entire human race.
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Oct 14, 2014 05:51pm
Oh!! The 1 billion dollars are going to get back to us and haunt us!
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Oct 14, 2014 06:25pm
@AH Fantastic! USA and UK supply arms and then use bombs to try and destroy the organisation!
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Oct 14, 2014 06:34pm
This morning, I was just thinking of Amirul Momineen Abu Bakar Al-Baghdadi , and a thought crossed my mind: I hope the history is not repeating itself in this case. It will be cruel, long and tedious journey for everybody in the world.
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Oct 14, 2014 06:34pm
@Ahmed the fact that they are declaring allegiance to others speaks volumes about the loss of faith in their own leadership. When rats tin they seek alternate safe havens.
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Oct 14, 2014 06:40pm
I hope that this will help people in pakistan supporting these groups realize clearly what their version of islamic utopia they are fighting for would be with a clear example in IS controlled territory.
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Oct 14, 2014 06:42pm
@Payal If, only Pakistanis, begin to understand the bigger game, we are been trapped into, through these puppets, and get united, even that would be sufficient, to root out these terrorist out of this beautiful, but unfortunate country, with immense resources.
If and when united, we can root out corruption, and corrupt rulers., then we can move towards the bigger unity.
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Oct 14, 2014 06:43pm
@Ahmed your comments remind me of a picture where a frog sitting in snakes mouth about to be swallowed whole is still trying go after a fly to eat.
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Oct 14, 2014 06:47pm
@Payal yes they can & they should to save the future generations
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Oct 14, 2014 06:50pm
@ahmedj all of them deserve nothing less than capital punishment....
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Oct 14, 2014 06:54pm
Anything new. All money games.
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Oct 14, 2014 07:00pm
@Suresh They have never done before?
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Oct 14, 2014 07:12pm
They don't have a ideology, just keeping themselves busy with a sense of huge power, that they wouldn't get otherwise.
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Oct 14, 2014 07:38pm
@MMM You mean never agreed on working together to destroy terrorism? Has such a proposal ever been made or considered before?
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Oct 14, 2014 07:44pm
So much media coverage
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Oct 14, 2014 07:46pm
@Suresh When I was a small child, I used to dream this type of cooperation. I am surprised there are grown up people dreaming it.
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Oct 14, 2014 07:46pm
@MMM And if you are saying that terrorists never unite, I agree with you. But good governments could unite to rid the earth of this menace. As for terrorists, they hate humanity and eventually turn against even their benefactors.
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Oct 14, 2014 07:50pm
Nothing to worry about.... Same Shahidullah shahid extended his allegiance with Mullah Omar but was given a stern answer that no militant activity on Pakistani soil will be considered of having any resemblance with Sharia. Now he wants his recognition through ISIS. Otherwise this ISIS has been operating since 2004-5. He is basically the one who fights for money.
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Oct 14, 2014 07:56pm
This was expected eventually. Do not understand what is there in soil and atmosphere of Pakistan that produces people with such mindset.
Food for introspection...
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Oct 14, 2014 07:56pm
What is its meaning? Af-Pak region will now be controlled from Baghdad, as it used to be done in 7 th century by Qasim? These commanders will kidnap girls from Af-Pak and send them to please their Ammeer-ul-Momeen in Baghdad as booty. Please correct me, if I am wrong.
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Oct 14, 2014 07:59pm
Change of allegiance to Caliph is not allowed in Islam until and unless the first caliph is declared infidel hence we can consider Mullah Omer of Afghanistan an infidel because the above people first gave their allegiance to Mullah Omer and now they have changed their allegiance to Al-Baghdadi
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Oct 14, 2014 08:03pm
Why am I not surprised by this announcement? Zarb-i-Azb did nothing. These people are still around.
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Oct 14, 2014 08:03pm
Such a losers yet require another mentor for their survival
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Oct 14, 2014 08:05pm
Where is our military operation when these people keep issuing their statements. Who we are kiling in wazirustan.
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Oct 14, 2014 08:13pm
@Muhammad Iqbal Well said. There is no difference between IS and US. Two different sides of the coin, spun by US
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Oct 14, 2014 08:16pm
@Ravi Dallas TX, You are wrong on both counts.
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Oct 14, 2014 08:19pm
The TTP have repeatedly made their evil intentions known against the nation of Pakistan. This announcement simply proves that the terrorists from different regions are willing to join hands in order to hamper our peace efforts and achieve their common agenda. At the same time, it becomes important for us to stand united against our common enemies and not indulge in conspiracy theories that shift the advantage in the terrorists favor. Our nations have made a lot of sacrifices in our shared fight against terrorism, and the need of the hour is to build on our improving relationship and work together in order to negate the looming threat.
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Oct 14, 2014 08:23pm
@ahmedj TTP can have an alliance with any faction / group that can only bring death and destruction and take a country to stone age.......
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Oct 14, 2014 08:23pm
Its high time India give up with its hold on Kashmir and its aggressive stance in Afghanistan .
The West needs to intervene and knock heads together and create a genuine peace in this region. Until then we are going keep see stuff like this and its just going to get worse.
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Oct 14, 2014 08:30pm
@Suresh - "AH Fantastic! USA and UK supply arms and then use bombs to try and destroy the organisation!"
Do you really believe that the US and the UK are trying to destroy ISIS? ISIS fighters are not hiding in mountains or in the jungle. The kind of technology the US and the UK has, they can detect movement of animals from their satellites. Why is it that every time they try to bomb ISIS, ISIS is not to be found at that location. And mind you, all ISIS has is Toyota trucks with some artillery. It does not possess fighter jets or sophisticated surface to air missiles and are no threat to the US and the UK planes.
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Oct 14, 2014 08:53pm
@Ahmed what are the names of the militants killed by the operation you are talking about and where are the bodies (read proof)
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Oct 14, 2014 08:54pm
@Ahmed My friend you have wrong ideas wrong information and wrong everything so please keep it to yourself. Try not to blame anyone in future
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Oct 14, 2014 08:56pm
Through and through opportunists they are. They know which side their bread is buttered.
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Oct 14, 2014 09:11pm
This is part of the ongoing successful global plan. Those who are in doubt please read the predictions by Ralph Peters.
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Oct 14, 2014 09:37pm
@Ahmedsunny
Taliban have very little power left , thus uniting to survive. Military Op will cleanse the remains of Taliban effectively.
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Oct 14, 2014 09:38pm
@Pc
Indians need not worry about Taliban and their likes, military Op will clean them all. Mind ur own business.
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Oct 14, 2014 09:42pm
@Ravi Dallas TX
You are missing the point, Taliban are almost solved, Kashmir is not. And I am also Kashmiri (in effect Pakistani).
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Oct 14, 2014 09:45pm
@Ganga Din
Zarb e Azb is successful, very successful, Taliban ranks are broken down and are desperately trying get some media attention.
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Oct 14, 2014 09:52pm
If these militant outfits are badly in love to support ISIS, Why don't we all (Pakistan & Afghanistan) give these a free passage to Iraq and Syria to relocate themselves permanently. One way Pakistan would rid themselves from this long overdue headache/nuisance in its own country. Also give them some groceries until their ship reaches destination. Once sea-borne, let them enjoy interacting with other coalition partners (fighting against ISIS) either on sea or on ground. Time to clean this scum from your country and also from Afghanistan right away. You all already had enough of this for so long. Time for all of you to clean your backyards and your own cobwebs within your homes and get ready for next festival to celebrate in its true spirit.
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Oct 14, 2014 09:56pm
Eliminate the TTP forever. No society is safe with these people around. Pakistan army is doing a good job in clearing this vermin.
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Oct 14, 2014 10:02pm
And,the fundamentalist circus goes on......is very funny if were not for innocent human lives!!!
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Oct 14, 2014 10:09pm
@Pc Why are you bringing Kashmir here. Absolutely non-sense.
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Oct 14, 2014 10:16pm
@Haider Rehman Dude stop being a spokesman for the army esp with that profile pic of yours, you are disgracing them!
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Oct 14, 2014 10:18pm
@Abhai Sharma don't worry - I Welcome ISIS to the graveyard of empires. Inshallah it is the beginning of the end of al baghadadi.
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Oct 14, 2014 10:20pm
RAW, Mossad, CIA conspiracy,,,,,,
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Oct 14, 2014 10:21pm
How I wish, Baccha Khan would have been given his rightful place in Pakistani politics. The world would have been a different place.
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Oct 14, 2014 11:04pm
We Would Like To Hear Loud and Clear , Hear Now from Imran Khan , whts is his views about the Talibans of TTP for which till now he had been having soft stance and supportive mind set . If he has stay his course then he must spell it Now of if he has changed his stance on these killers then he must say it now aloud . There is No if and But needed . With this annluncement from TTP , we now know whre these killers want to take Pakistan to .... wILL iK OF pti PLEAE SPEAK NOW AND TELL US YOUR MIND SET ...
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Oct 14, 2014 11:25pm
Can I make a humble suggestion to the media in general via this platform. Please use the full word of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) as every Muslim country is an individual Islamic state in its own right. To call ISIS as Islamic State only is one of Western media's ( specially Rupert Murdoch's news empire) ploy to portry all the Muslim countries as terrorist. We Muslims have to look after our own interest for the sake of our religion.
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Oct 14, 2014 11:29pm
its a publicity stunnt by shahid rather than any thing else..........!!
he must join some stage drama production house or any good studio.....!!
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Oct 15, 2014 12:15am
Agent of devil united to destroy mankind regardless.
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Oct 15, 2014 12:27am
These crazy guys should go to Iraq and die with their ISIS partners. We will be relieved if they take all their platoon with them. I even say that PIA shall give them a free plane load travel to the place of their eventual death.
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Oct 15, 2014 12:35am
@Khan I agree because after Pakistan these guys are going to come to India. So, India better pony up as partner with Pakistan to fight this devil because at the end these TTP and ISIS will be pain in the neck for all of the countries there.
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Oct 15, 2014 01:22am
@Pankaj sir, don't be happy because you see it as Pakistani problem Soon after it will be your Indian big problem too and you will be scrambling then to get help from Pakistan.
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Oct 15, 2014 02:16am
Sooner or later Pakistani's will have to swallow the bitter pill of drawing the line between State and Religion--sooner the better. Anybody misusing religion for vested interest must be given very harsh punishment--only people can do this no government will yield its power derived from religious slogans.
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Oct 15, 2014 02:22am
We need to stop and crush this monster NOW
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Oct 15, 2014 03:00am
Abu Bakar Al-Baghdadi is well documented ex Mossad agent. TTP has not left any doubts that they are also foreign agents.
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Oct 15, 2014 03:11am
@Haider Rehman so far what are the names of those killed and why haven't any faces or bodies been shown? When OBL was killed you all were like this is hypocrisy and a conspiracy !!! Grab a mirror
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Oct 15, 2014 03:48am
These people should be eliminated. They do not beleive in any faith.
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Oct 15, 2014 05:16am
@RAVI you correct Ravi. They are hate mongers.
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Oct 15, 2014 05:52am
They should leave Pakistan so pakistani can live peacefully.
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Oct 15, 2014 05:57am
Unholy alliance of the human garbage.
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Oct 15, 2014 06:01am
@Hrushi NYC
I love that. In addition, the frog was always in the same well knowing the snake is around.
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Oct 15, 2014 06:02am
@muhammad
Stop the crap mate.
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Oct 15, 2014 06:04am
@AH
What do you expect do when they melt with the civilians? The moment a civilian is dead, you will start screaming killing innocent Muslims.
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Oct 15, 2014 06:06am
@Kabir
Leave him. He is like a frog living in pot hole, believes know everything. He doesn't see the snake is around the corner.
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Oct 15, 2014 06:07am
@Haider Rehman
Another frog out there!
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Oct 15, 2014 06:08am
@Merchant
Thank you very much for the updated information. Please keep us update on this matter.
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Oct 15, 2014 02:05pm
@krishna prasad Toronto hehehehe good suggestion. it would also be easy to tackle them when they are in one location rather than being all over.
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Oct 16, 2014 08:17am
@ghanshyam and then they will be chasing everyone in India and the worries will not going to end up there..... So from India where the people will be going? Does anyone know?
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Oct 16, 2014 08:40am
@Ahmed Take a chill pill we dont need to pacify you and make you believe you that we are not the problem. Your country is good enough to create more than required problem for your self so we dont need to do much.
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Oct 16, 2014 12:04pm
Baghdadi the intolerant murderer of Muslims, Christian and Yazidi minorities along with his new found friends-in-arms TTP in Pakistan would disappear one day for sure.
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Oct 16, 2014 07:24pm
TTP and IS, its becoming like Coke and Pepsi!
They are both 2 heads of the same evil, and must be crushed. In 30 years no one will even remember who these fools were.
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Oct 17, 2014 12:30pm
@Atam Vetta would that matter is IK's response to this is little different than your PM's hardline hindu dominance stance ?
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Oct 17, 2014 05:07pm
I thought it was Nawaz Sharif who labeled himself, the Amirul Momineen. Looks like he has competition.
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