Afghan Taliban commander warns terrorists against fighting Pakistani forces

• Commander rejects individual authority to declare Jihad.
• Fighting Pakistan termed ego-driven and illegitimate.
• Fitna al-Khwarij linked to Indian-sponsored terrorism.

RAWALPINDI: In a major development, a commander of the Afghan Taliban, Saeedullah Saeed, has warned terrorists of Fitna al-Khwarij against fighting the Pakistan forces, conducting attacks in the name of Jihad.

Addressing a passing-out parade of police officials, the commander of the Afghan Taliban said as per their Ameer’s directives, it was not legitimate to fight against any country, particularly Pakistan.

“Those who fight against foreign countries while joining different groups, cannot be called a real Mujahid,” the leader of the Afghan Taliban maintained.

Saeed also made it clear that it was the prerogative of Ameer of the state to announce Jihad or grant permission for Jihad. “It is not the discretion of any individual or a group to decide about waging Jihad,” he said.

He also categorically stated that it amounts to disobedience if anybody, while acting against directives of the leadership of the state, decides to visit Pakistan for fighting. “It will be considered ‘Fasad’ not ‘Jihad’ if anybody fights for the sake of ego or on the basis of association with any group,” he said.

Commander Saeed also maintained those who conduct attacks in the name of ‘Jihad’, the same individual or group are disobedient of Shariat and the Afghan Emirate.

Defence experts say that the statement of the Afghan Taliban commander strengthens Pakistan's narrative regarding internal security. They observed that the so-called ‘Jihad’ of Fitna al-Khwarij at the behest of Indian proxies and the Indian government is terrorism against Shariat, state, and peace.

Originally published in The News