Newly surfaced audio leaks have revealed connections between the Fitna al-Khawarij and the ruling political party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to media reports.
The leaked recordings feature conversations involving Afghanistan-based terrorists’ commander Badshah and another commander, Rocketi, who is said to operate in South Waziristan. The controversy intensified after claims emerged that a provincial lawmaker received preferential treatment from the terrorists.
As per the audio recordings, MPA Asif Mehsud was stopped and searched by terrorists in South Waziristan, where he was initially issued an extortion demand. However, the leaks show that Commander Badshah quickly intervened and ordered Rocketi not to abduct the legislator.
In one of the conversations, the Afghanistan-based commander can be heard saying that Asif Mehsud belonged to the ruling political party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and should therefore be released immediately. The commander also instructed the terrorists to apologise for stopping and searching him.
The leaked audio further includes Rocketi assuring that the MPA had not been harmed and confirming that instructions from terrorist leaders based in Afghanistan were being followed.
Security analysts cited in the report said the audio recordings appeared to indicate that Fitna al-Khawarij viewed leaders of the ruling political party as sympathetic figures and were prepared to spare them from kidnapping and extortion operations.
Analysts further alleged that the recordings pointed towards political and social space being provided to Fitna al-Khawarij in the province, leading them to treat members of the ruling party as allies.
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