Pakistani terrorists align with Islamic State
South Asian group’s allegiance another challenge to al-Qaida
A Pakistani terrorist group has become the first in the region to break ranks and declare allegiance to Islamic State, formerly known as ISIS, that has seized control of large parts of Iraq and Syria.
It represents a break through for Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as he tries to win support for his caliphate, potentially extending his influence into South Asia and bolstering his challenge to al-Qaida for leadership of the global jihadist movement.
Little is known about the Tehreek-e-Khilafat group other than that it has claimed responsibility for a series of attacks in Karachi.
This week it pledged to raise Islamic State’s flag in South Asia and Khurasan — the historic name used by Islamist militants for an area covering Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Using the poetic language often favoured by jihadist groups, it said in a statement: “From today, Sheikh Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi shall consider Tehreek-e-Khilafat and Jihad mujahedeen fighters of Pakistan as one of the arrows among his arrows which he has kept for his bow. We are praying from the almighty Allah to give us chance in our lives to see the expansion of Islamic State boundaries toward the Sub-Continent and Khurasan region in order to hoist the flag of Islamic State here.”
It is thought to be the first group beyond the Middle-East to have offered support.
Pakistan is home to dozens of terrorist groups with greater or lesser ties to alQaida or the Taliban.
Tehreek-e-Khilafat and Jihad is considered part of the Pakistan Taliban, an umbrella movement linked to alQaida containing dozens of terrorist groups, racketeers and sectarian organization.
Saifullah Mehsud, of the Fata Research Centre, which monitors Pakistan’s tribal areas, said he expected more to follow suit.
“If you monitor social media, all the talk is about Islamic State rather than alQaida,” he said.
Analysts believe the latest generation of fighters has only known al-Qaida on the defensive.
Osama bin Laden was shot dead in Pakistan three years ago and its current leaders are all but invisible as they dodge drones in the country’s tribal areas.