A member of the Pakistani Taliban explains that — contrary to the dogma held so fervently in Washington — the conflict in Afghanistan is over Islam and the will to impose Sharia. It is not about tribal rivalries. “‘The jihad against infidels will continue,'” from Rediff, July 4 (thanks to Lachlan):
The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has vowed to fight alongside the Haqqani Network if the Pakistan Army launches an offensive against it in North Waziristan Agency.
Rediff.com’s Tahir Ali has received an exclusive video interview of TTP’s spokesperson Ihsanullah Ihsan, who vows to continue jihad against ‘secular forces’.
What would be the reaction of the TTP if an operation was launched against the Haqqani Network?
The TTP will fight side by side with the Haqqani Network against Pakistan’s security forces. Our first target would be Pakistani security forces posted there.
How are the drone strikes affecting the movement of the Taliban?
We have lost a large number of our companions in drone strikes but the mujahideen are neither afraid of them nor can they discourage the jihad. The jihad against the infidel forces will continue.
Why you are against the United States’ presence in Afghanistan while your movement is based in Pakistan?
The TTP is not only interested in US forces leaving Afghanistan; we are actually against the secular system they have introduced there. We have no enmity with Americans because they belong to the US but we detest their secular and un-Islamic system.
If someone in the US is Muslim, he is our brother and if even a Pashtun is following a secular ideology, he would be our enemy. Our friendship and animosity are based on religion. We hate Americans for their secular ideology. If the same ideology is followed by Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari or Pakistan Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, they are our enemies.
What is the status of TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud?
Hakimullah Mehsud is leading the TTP. He is safe and sound and is busy in his jihadi activities. He is keeping away from the media under our strategy; actually there is no need for him to appear before the media….