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Taliban splinter faction picks up new leader: Afghan media

Xinhua, November 3, 2015 Adjust font size:

The splinter faction of Taliban outfit which has challenged Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansoor leadership as illigitimate to substitute Mullah Mohammad Omar has picked up Omar's close aide Mullah Mohammad Rasoul as its Amirul Mominin (supreme commander of faithful Muslims) or new leader, local media reported on Tuesday.

"Mullah Mohammad Rasoul who refused to make allegiance to Mullah Akhater Mansoor was chosen by his supporters as Amirul Mominin of Taliban fighters on Monday," Tolo television channel reported in its news bulliten.

Neither the Taliban outfit nor the Afghan government has made immediate comments on the report.

In the wake of the confirmation of the death of Taliban leader Mullah Omar in late July, The Taliban militants divided into two factions of supporters and opponents of Mullah Akhatar Mansoor.

The opponents mostly closed to Mullah Omar's family led by Mullah Manan Niazi and Mullah Mohammad Yaqub, the son of Mullah Omar opposed Mullah Akhtar Mansoor's legitimacy as Amirul Momin, and the challenge practically divided the armed group.

According to media reports, Mullah Manan Niazi has been appointed as spokesman and Mullah Mansoor Dadullah as deputy of the splinter group of the Taliban.

The report of choosing new leader for dissident group, if confirmed by Taliban, would deal a major blow to the Taliban militants and eventually weaken the militancy in Afghanistan, local political watchers believe. Endite