Mohammad Shehzad

Islamabad, June 3:

The Taliban have split into two factions as a result of mutiny that took place last week. It is learnt through informed sources that more than 500 Taliban have deserted Mullah Omar and gathered under the command of Mullah Soban who used to be one of Omar’s trusted commanders. “I am no more loyal to the so-called Amir-ul-Momineen Mullah Omar. I have parted ways with him — not only me but more than 500 Taliban,” said Soban.

Soban, who had developed serious disagreements with Omar on a number of issues said, “Mullah Omar recently supplied poisonous biscuits to women working with some aid agencies in Khost and killed two women. This was a heinous crime against humanity. Those women were not our enemies. Our enmity is with the US and coalition troops... I disagreed with Mullah Omar’s vision of war. I tried to convince him killing of innocents was the greatest sin, not jihad. But he was adamant to follow his dictatorial policies. Therefore, I had to desert him.” Soban was not the first person to disagree with Omar. “Mullah Hamza and Mullah Habib were executed by Mullah Omar in March (2004) when they challenged his vision of war. Omar ordered their execution saying they had disobeyed Amir-ul-Mominee,” Soban said. “Mullah Omar had ordered my execution but over 500 Taliban turned their guns on him.”

The desertion took place under a deal. “If we had fought each other, there would been bloodshed. We decided to settle this amicably. I was able to get my share in terms of arms and ammunition to sustain the Taliban movement,” Soban said. He refused to mention the areas that are or will be under his control. “My men will be launching guerrilla attacks on the US and coalition forces all over Afghanistan.”

He has no intention of talking to the Karzai administration. “We have not deserted to be in power. Our aim is to wage true jihad. We will not target women, elders, children and aid workers. Our only target will be the US and coalition soldiers.” However, Mullah Omar refuses to admit any mutiny and desertion among the Taliban’s ranks and files. “Taliban are united and the news related to desertion and mutiny is the US propaganda to demoralise the Taliban,” said Mullah Latif Hakimi. Insiders have disclosed Omar is very upset over the mutiny. The best chunk of his people has joined Soban. The 500 Taliban under Soban were the trained suicide attackers. Omar’s suicide squad is now almost finished.