SUMMARY

TTP-KS, TTP Khalid Mehsud faction is a group of militants belonging to the Taleban Movement of Pakistan (TTP). In 2013 Waliur Rehman the former leader of TTP South Waziristan faction was killed by an U.S. drone strike and Khalid Mehsud alias Khan Said Sajna, his deputy, claimed the leader post. Later that year when TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud also was killed in an U.S. drone strike, Khalid Mehsud was the expected candidate of the chief post however the TTP ruling council appointed Mullah Fazlullah. This decision marked the start of tensions between key factions of the organization. Khan Said was removed as the leader of TTP South Waziristan faction in May 2014, and later the same month the Khalid Mehsud faction officially split from TTP.

Khalid Mehsud, as well as Waliur Rehman were of a relatively moderate standpoint and favored peace talks with the Pakistani government as well as criticized TTP attacks on the government and its security forces.

The Khalid Mehsud faction of TTP has been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.