Islamic State names leader in Pakistan, Afghanistan
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 28 January 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Islamic State names leader in Pakistan, Afghanistan, 28 January 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/54e1a44f8.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
January 28, 2015
The Islamic State (IS) militant group says it has appointed a former Pakistani Taliban commander as its leader for Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Abu Muhammad al-Adnani, a spokesman for the group, said in an audio message posted on Twitter this week that Hafiz Saeed Khan would lead IS militants in the region.
Khan, reportedly in his early 40s, was once a spokesman for Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, an umbrella organization for several militant groups.
The authenticity of the audio file could not be verified by independent sources.
The development came weeks after several Pakistani Taliban leaders pledged allegiance to IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
It also came amid reports that a former Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Rauf was recruiting for the IS in Afghanistan's Helmand Province.
Based on reporting by dpa
Link to original story on RFE/RL website