Haji Daud Mehsud, a senior leader of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has declared allegiance to Daesh or the Islamic State that could be seen as a serious setback for the TTP and a boost for IS-Khorasan (IS-K) region just two weeks after the US airstrikes killed the IS-K leader Abu Sayed in Afghanistan’s eastern Nangarhar province, Daily Times reported on July 31.
Daud, who belongs to Haibat Khel tribe in South Waziristan Agency of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), has served as the Karachi TTP chief. Tribal journalists who are aware of the TTP affairs say he is the first senior Mehsud within the TTP to join Daesh. He was one of the few trusted leader of the TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud, who was killed in a US drone strike in Miranshah in November 1, 2013. Hakimullah group had appointed Daud as the Karachi chief, where he had previously served in the Sindh Police Department, according to a TTP source.
A militant source said that Daud’s differences with another top leader Khan Said Sajna surfaced even when Hakimullah was alive and he could have parted ways with the TTP as Sajna has rejoined the TTP and Daud was uncomfortable with Sajna. Sources say Sajna is currently the TTP’s deputy chief, replacing Sheikh Khalid Haqqani. Splinter Mehsud factions had been involved in infighting after Hakimullah’s death that had reportedly claimed the lives of dozens of militants.
Several militants, who are considered confidants of Daud, have confirmed to the tribal journalists that Daud has joined Daesh and that he has moved to the group’s controlled areas in Afghanistan along with his family. A militant leader told Daily Times the TTP leader has declared allegiance to Daesh however, neither Daud, nor Daesh has confirmed the decision. He said the confirmation could come if Daud is given any responsibility.
