Mahiwal Khan, a Pakistani soldier captured by the Taliban
Interviews of captured Pakistani soldiers and an audio statement by Hakimullah Mehsud, the Emir of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are featured on a new video released by the TTP on a jihadist internet forum. The video was produced by Umar Media, the TTP's media arm.
The following is a summary of the video:[1]
In the beginning of the video, a narrator explains that the purpose behind the creation of Pakistan as an Islamic state in 1974 was the implementation of La ilaha Illallah, i.e. there is no deity but Allah, in Pakistan, but the Pakistani rulers have turned their back on this message.
The narrator accuses the Pakistani rulers of carrying out anti-Islam activities such as military operations against the Taliban fighters. The narration points out that Pakistan used a phosphorous bomb during the 2007 military operation in Islamabad's Red Mosque only because the female students of Jamia Hafsa (adjoining the Red Mosque) were demanding implementation of La ilaha Illallah.
Also included is an audio statement by Hakimullah Mehsud, in which he reiterates that "Our jihad will continue as long as the Kufri system [of infidels] prevails in Pakistan, and until the Kufri system of democracy is replaced by shari'a." Accusing the Pakistani rulers of acting against the Islamic scholars, women and youth of Pakistan, the TTP chief vows that after an Islamic system is established in Pakistan, history will prove that Islam respects the ulema (Islamic scholars), women and youth – that is, unlike the Pakistani soldiers who are killing them in military operations.
Taliban fighters praying setting out on their mission
The narrator then accuses the Pakistani rulers of trying to break the back of the mujahideen due to their fear that they will end the system of governance in Pakistan and will replace it with Islamic shari'a. The video shows news clips in which Pakistan Army chief General Ashfaq Kayani and Interior Minister Rehman Malik claim that the army has broken the backbone of the terrorists.
However, the narrator says, "a handful of brave mujahideen" broke the back of the Pakistan Army when it entered the Pakistani tribal region. The video shows clips of Pakistani soldiers captured by the Taliban, while the narrator describes the Pakistan Army as "apostate" – i.e. among those who have left Islam. It shows Taliban militants launching attacks somewhere in the Pakistani border region.
Some Pakistani soldiers captured by the Taliban at Sararoga in South Waziristan are shown on the video, but it is unclear when they were captured. The captured soldiers say that they will tell people that the Taliban are "good" when they return from captivity. The video shows verses of the Koran – especially from Chapter Anfal – justifying war against infidels, with Pakistani soldiers being considered as apostates/infidels by the Taliban.
Shakeel, another Pakistani soldier captured by the Taliban
A poem sung in the background states that the "Jews and Christians cannot be friends" but the Pakistani rulers cannot understand this Islamic message because they are devoid of Islam and sincerity. The singer accuses Pakistan of working in cooperation with the infidels.
Endnote:
[1] Shumoukh Al-Islam, December 14, 2011.
