GHALANAI, July 21: The inquiry committee of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) will begin probe into the execution of Commander Shah Khalid and his deputy Qari Ubaidullah on Tuesday.

Commander Umer Khalid, local chief of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, told a press conference at Qandaharo Markaz in tehsil Safi on Monday that the probe team would also decide the fate of 80 detained supporters of Shah group.

He denied execution of Commander Shah Khalid and his deputy Qari Ubaidullah, saying they were seriously injured during the clashes between the two groups of Taliban and later succumbed to their injuries.

He said that eight men of the rival group were killed, 80 were arrested and three vehicles were taken into custody. “Two men of an intelligence agency were also taken into custody. They would be presented to media after the decision of the probe committee,” he added.

To a question Umer Khalid said he was duty bound to accept the decision of TTP chief Baitullah Mehsud. Maulvi Umer is only the spokesman of the Taliban and not authorised to issue orders,” he said.

He said his group had neither any leadership problem nor Hanafi or Salafi differences with Shah group. “Constant interference in the local affairs by his men was the main reason of differences with Shah Khalid,” he said, adding that Shah group had established three centres in their areas recently.

He said they had sent two jirgas to Shah Khalid to sort out 15 months long differences but his men had killed his group’s key commander Nisar who was going to hold talks with them.

“We again sent a jirga with Ustad Yaser as its head but Shah group rejected our offer and resorted to fighting so we had no other option but to defend ourselves,” he added. TTP local leader said that he and his colleagues were shocked over infighting between the Taliban.

To a question, he said presently the process of talks with government had been postponed for indefinite period. He also denied talks with government on swap of prisoners. He admitted that several government officials were in their custody.

Mr Khalid said his supporters would fight alongside Taliban as soon as the deadline set by Baitullah Mehsud for government was expired and TTP launched attack against government.

He said Taliban were not involved in kidnappings rather some elements involved in the crime wanted to defame the Taliban movement. He warned such elements of stern action. He said Taliban would ensure security to government employees performing duties in the tribal areas.He claimed that they had 26,000 Taliban fighters in Mohmand Agency and Nawaqai area of Bajaur Agency.

The Taliban leader said that seven soldiers of Afghan National Army who were arrested during the clash with Nato forces near Mohmand Agency border were sentenced to death in accordance with Islamic Sharia law.