Qari Zain - Rivalry Within Pakistani Taliban

Rivalry Within Pakistani Taliban

After Nek Muhammad's death, Abdullah Mehsud and Baitullah Mehsud both vied for dominance of the Pakistani Taliban. When Abdullah died in a raid by Pakistani security forces and later his successor perished in a bomb explosion, Qari Zain and other members of Abdullah's faction suspected that Baitullah played a role in the attacks. The rivalry continued after Zainuddin obtained leadership of Abdullah's group.

Senior Taliban leader Maulvi Nazir, whose relationship with Baitullah had deteriorated over the issue of sheltering Uzbek miltants, offered his support to Zainuddin. After Nazir and Baitullah, along with Hafiz Gul Bahadur, pledged in February 2009 to set aside their differences to focus efforts upon NATO forces in Afghanistan, Qari Zain's forces allied with a group led by Turkestan Bhittani, an older Taliban figure who had unofficially aligned with the government in its fight against Baitullah.

In March 2009 the two competing factions distributed pamphlets that leveled accusations against the other groups' leader.

Zainuddin's pamphlet, distributed on March 16, stated:

“Baitullah Mehsud is not involved in jihad because Islam does not allow suicide attacks, which his group is perpetrating.” “Our doors are open to all those who have suffered injustice at the hands of Baitullah.” “We also warn people against keeping contacts with Baitullah or facilitating him in prolonging his rule.”

In response Baitullah Mehsud called Abdullah Mehsud (and indirectly Zainuddin as Abdullah's successor) a "puppet of the government", and said: "Zainuddin and his comrades are cruel robbers and have rebelled against Islam and the nation."

In a June 2009 interview with Geo News, Qari Zainuddin Mehsud said that "Islam cannot spread with the use of force but with invitation," and added that he was against suicide attacks inside Pakistan. He also distanced himself from the TTP by denouncing the organization and reaffirmed his commitment to the cause of Tehrik-e-Taliban Afghanistan. "We are Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan, and we have nothing to do with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan." Zainuddin and Turkestan Bhittani held a jirga with about a hundred Mehsud tribal elders to rally against Baitullah Mehsud.