SPY EYES

In what appears to be a major rift in militant ranks, the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Saturday removed Astmatullah Muavia, chief of the Punjabi Taliban, over his response to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's dialogue offer.

Out rightly rejecting the decision of the umbrella organization, Muavia said that the Punjabi Taliban had their own Shura (decision making body) and the TTP had no authority to remove him.

TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shaihid said that the militia has removed Muavia from his post and announced that a new chief would be inducted soon.

In response to Sharif remarks Muavia had said that negotiations between the government and the militants would strengthen peace efforts.

According to the TTP spokesman, new leader of the Punjabi Taliban would soon be inducted. The decision to remove the Asmatullah Muavia was taken at a meeting chaired by TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud at an undisclosed location. The meeting directed all the militants not to contact Muavia.