Taliban splinter group appoints new leader

KHOST CITY (Pajhwok): Mullah Abdul Rauf Arafi has been appointed as new leader of a Taliban splinter group, led by Mullah Rasoul, the group’s spokesman Mullah Abdul Rahman Niazi said on Saturday.

In a telephonic conversation, Niazai told Pajhwok Afghan News Mullah Arafi had been appointed by a 13-member executive council of the group. He is a resident of the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province.

The breakaway group’s spokesman said Arafi’s nomination came after Mullah Rasoul’s disappearance over the past few months. Supporters had no information about his whereabouts, he added.

 After the demise of former Taliban leader Mullah Omer, some of the group’s commanders did not accepted the leadership of Mullah Akhtar Mansour and parted ways with the movement.

They joined a new group led by Mullah Rasoul, who disappeared without any trace some months back.  Bloody clashes took place between the rival outfits in southern and western provinces.

sa/mud