Anti-TTP commander killed in suicide attack

The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has claimed responsibility for attacking a pro-government militants center over the bordering area of Hangu and Kurram Agency on Saturday that resulted in the deaths of 10 people, and injuring 20 others.

The bomber detonated his explosives just outside the compound of the anti-Taliban commander Maulana Nabi Hanfi, in the town of Spin Tal near the Afghan border.

Hanfi's companions claimed that he survived the attacked. However, the TTP has claimed just the opposite.

Talking to rediff.com from an undisclosed location, TTP spokesperson Ihsanullah Ihsan said, "This group was involved in anti-Taliban activities so we targetted him; we had already warned him to his activities but he did not."

He added, "Our suicide bomber has the target and Hanfi is amongst the killed."

Nabi was once part of the banned TTP, but had parted ways with the organisation because of some differences. He had formed his own group, and since then, clashes have claimed casualties on both sides. The TTP's Mullah Toofan based in the Orakzai tribal region is Nabi's main rival.

Nabi differences with TTP had risen due to a power struggle with Toofan to control the strategic bordering areas of Spin.