The spokesman for the Pakistan Taliban, Shahidullah Shahid, has been formally fired because he took a pledge of allegiance to the Islamic State.
BBC reported that Mr. Shahid had defected for the Islamic State a week ago, along with five of his fellow Pakistani cohorts. Taliban members in Pakistan then released a statement, exposing Mr. Shahid’s real name and saying he was no longer their spokesman, BBC said.
A senior leader with the Pakistan Taliban confirmed that the spokesman and five militant group commanders had left for the Islamic State, saying they didn’t believe any longer in the leadership abilities of Mullah Mohammad Omar, who controls the Taliban from Afghanistan, BBC said.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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