
Suffi Mohammed, AKA, Abu al-Shahid
Considering that perpetual tribal vendettas and blood feuds are endemic to the lands of Islam — though, based on the notion of “umma,” they’re not supposed to be — even if peace was a remote possibility between the jihadis and the government, this slaying will most likely guarantee even more intolerance and zeal for vengeance from the former.
“Pakistan: Son of militant leader killed in clashes,” from Adnkronos, May 7:
Lower Dir, 7 May (AKI/DAWN) – The son of Pakistani militant leader Sufi Mohammed is reported to have been killed in conflict with security forces in the north of the country. Kifyatullah was killed in shelling during a military operation in Lower Dir’s Maidan area, said family sources.
“I have been informed by the family of Maulana Sufi Mohammed that his son, Kifayatullah, has died and his brother-in-law is seriously injured,” said Ameer Izzat Khan, spokesman for Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi.
Sufi Mohammed, head of TNSM, has been calling for an end to the military operation and has threatened to abandon the Swat peace deal reached with the government in February.
Pakistani daily Dawn said it was unclear how the TNSM chief would react to his son’s death, making the future of the peace deal even more uncertain…