Afghan Taliban Warn Khawarij: Attacks in Pakistan Are Not Jihad.
By - News Beat
The Afghan Taliban has issued a clear and public message distancing itself from recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan, declaring that such violence does not qualify as jihad under Islamic law. The statement was aimed at extremist groups known as Khawarij - a term used for fundamentalists who rebel against Islamic teachings.
This unusual and strong stance is widely understood to be aimed at the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a banned militant organization responsible for numerous attacks in Pakistan. Although the TTP shares ideological similarities with the Afghan Taliban, the leadership in Kabul has been making clear that they do not support the group's actions.
In their message, the Taliban stressed that Islam forbids killing innocent people and spreading chaos, and described such acts as fitnah (sin) rather than jihad. A Taliban spokesman said that these actions were not only against Islamic teachings but also damaged the image of Muslims around the world.
The statement comes amid mounting pressure from Pakistan, which has repeatedly accused the TTP of operating from safe havens across the Afghan border. The Afghan Taliban's public disapproval could be an attempt to defuse tensions and portray itself as a responsible government committed to peace in the region.
Security experts see it as a calculated move - one that could help reduce international scrutiny and strengthen ties with regional powers like Pakistan.
Pakistan has cautiously welcomed the statement, with officials saying that ground operations will be the real test of the Taliban's resolve.