SUMMARY

In 2006 or 2007, Momin Afridi and Tariq Afridi founded a local Taleban outfit in Darra Adam Khel, the Islami Taleban Momin Afridi Group. Tensions between the two commanders arose when Tariq Afridi joined the ranks of the Taleban Movement of Pakistan (TTP) against the will of Momin Afridi who was seeking support among the local tribal elders. While Tariq Afridi became a major TTP commander, Momin Afridi and his militants have become fierce opponents of the attempts of TTP militants to gain control in Darra Adam Khel and support the Government of Pakistan and the security forces in their struggle against TTP.

In 2010, tensions between the TTP faction headed by Tariq Afridi (TTP - TA) and the Forces of Momin Afridi escalated into an armed conflict. TTP militants loyal to Tariq Afridi attacked Momin Afridi’s group in November after accusations that a deal between both groups had been broken by Momin Afridi and that Momin Afridi’s men were conveying information to Pakistani security forces and the CIA. Most of the victims were killed in a suicide bombing in a mosque frequented by men loyal to Momin Afridi.

The non-state conflict between the two TTP-factions, Forces of Momin Afridi and TTP - TA, is first included in UCDP data in 2010. In November of that year, a suicide attack resulted in over 25 battle-related deaths.