PARACHINAR, Pakistan (AP) — A senior commander of the Pakistani Taliban says he is splitting from the group to protest attacks against civilians.
Fazal Saeed told The Associated Press on Monday that he is forming his own militant group, Tehrik-e-Taliban Islami, and will focus on fighting NATO troops in Afghanistan.
The Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, is mainly focused on battling the U.S.-allied Pakistani government.
Saeed has been identified as the leader of the Pakistani Taliban in the Kurram tribal area near the Afghan border.
It’s unclear whether Saeed’s move is related to an upcoming Pakistani military operation in Kurram. The military has differentiated in the past between Taliban militants focused on fighting in Afghanistan versus Pakistan.
