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Published 12 Jun, 2013 08:11am

TTP contacts Afghan Taliban to avert clash: website

PESHAWAR, June 11: The Afghan Taliban had been reached by proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to avert an impending clash among the groups that have amassed near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border over the weekend, Site, a US-based website, which monitors violence-related worldwide news, has claimed.

It says that TTP has requested Taliban supreme commander Mullah Mohammad Omar to urgently intervene and swift into action against these groups and prevent them from using the name of Afghan Taliban Movement for attacking their brothers’ sites under it.

The website quoted a TTP leader Abu Muadh al-Kohati as saying that there were no issues between the groups and TTP considered Mullah Mohammad Omar its leader.

It said that there were militia elements in Afghanistan's Kunar province that were preparing to attack TTP’s positions and the latter had asked the Afghan-based Taliban to act against those groups.

About recent media reports regarding possible clash between Afghan Taliban Movement and TTP, he said that there were no disputes at all between the two sides. “The movement (TTP) still considers Emir (chief) Mullah Omar to be a legitimate head for it and that it submits to his orders,” al-Kohat was quoted as saying.

Media quoted TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan that an attack was planned against TTP positions inside Afghanistan’s Kunar province, but warned it might result in major bloodshed.

“We have old enmity with Ansarul Islam and some other militant groups, who want to avenge their own fights and losses now. They are planning a major attack on us in the bordering areas along Mohmand Agency,” he said, according media reports.

Al-Kohati said that there were masses in Afghanistan's Kunar province, which was parallel to the two Pakistani regions of Waziristan and Helmand, of hundreds of fighters affiliated with various groups such as Jund al-Taiba (Lashkar-i-Tayyeba), Ansaral Islam and Jamaat-ud-Dawah, who were preparing to attack the movement’s sites.

“These groups are connected to the Pakistan intelligence agency, ISI,” al-Kohati was quoted by the website.

He said that TTP leadership had contacted Mullah Omar and informed him about the situation as despite its differences with those groups, it did not open any front against them rather it placed before its eye the fighting of the Crusaders and their henchmen.

“In the event these groups attack our sites, we will defend our trenches to the death,” warned al-Kohati.

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