Some TTP leaders' allegiance to IS indicates severe internal fissures within outfit

The recent announcement by some key Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leaders to extend their allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) of Iraq and Syria is said to be the outcome of internal fissures within the banned TTP and a setback for their movement.
Six TTP leaders, including its spokesperson Shahidullah Shahid, had recently announced their allegiance to the IS and the self-proclaimed Caliph of Muslims, Abu Bakar al-Baghdadi, which has fuelled debate whether the IS was making inroads within the Pakistani Taliban.
Official sources revealed to this correspondent that at present the IS does not have any presence in Pakistan and the likelihood of IS making any inroads into Pakistan with the ongoing comprehensive and successful military operation Zarb-e-Azb against TTP and other militant groups is almost negligible. The success of the operation, military sources told Business Recorder, was evident from a marked decline in the number of terror related incidents in cities and in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).
The proscribed TTP has suffered serious setback in its stronghold North Waziristan and the majority of militants, including the TTP senior leadership, has reportedly escaped from the tribal regions and taken refuge in Afghanistan.
Taliban sources said that though there was no formal existence of the IS in the region yet many militants, particularly those disappointed with the lack of visible gains by Taliban and al Qaeda leadership, were eager to show solidarity with the IS. Others argue that their support for the IS may be premised on their perception of its successes in controlling large swathes of land in spite of heavy bombardment by the US-led 40 nations coalition.
The banned outfit TTP and its militants owe allegiance to Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Mohammad Omer and also consider him as their "Ameer-ul-Momineen" and it is not yet clear whether they have shifted loyalties away from Mullah Omar or simply expressed an admiration for military successes of the IS.
Besides, Shahidullah Shahid, other key TTP men who have expressed willingness to join the IS included Mufti Hasan, TTP former chief for Peshawar region, Hafiz Sayed Khan, TTP chief for Orakzai Agency, TTP commander from Khyber Agency Gul Zaman and Khalid Mansoor, TTP commander for Hangu and Kurram Agency tribal region.
Independent analysts describe the development as an internal rift within the ranks of the Pakistani Taliban due to which various factions have already parted ways limiting the TTP only to Malakand Taliban. Several groups like the powerful Mehsud Taliban and militants from Mohmand Agency have already quit their alliance with the TTP after developing differences with its main leadership.
"One thing is very important that the TTP is currently facing a serious split from within, which is indicated by the fact that various outfits have already parted ways with the main TTP," said Brigadier (Retd) Mehmood Shah, a security analyst. He pointed out that majority of its militants, including its chief Mullah Fazlullah, is now in Afghanistan due to which the main leadership has lost its control over the groups operating inside Pakistan. He maintained that the recent announcement of some TTP leaders to join the IS seemed to be a popularity stunt as many of them have already been thrown out from the TTP. However, he did not see any setback for the Taliban movement in Afghanistan subsequent to the offer of allegiance by some Taliban leaders towards the IS.