Al-Qaeda offshoot militants emerge

By Shahid Sher Ali


Fighters of Al-Qaeda offshoot, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), who attacked Karachi Airport this week were all shot in the head by Pakistani SSG commandos.  The attack, which left at least 30 people dead, saw some of the IMU attackers blow themselves up after the security forces surrounded them at Cargo Terminal of Jinnah International Airport, Karachi.

IMU terrorist, dressed as Airport Security Personnels, lying dead after Pakistan Army commandos shot him in the head with a sniper rifle

Most of the attackers were teenagers and security forces said some of them were trying to head for the passengers' terminal for a cover when the security forces blocked them, killing them before they could cause serious damage. 

Aggressive in their war tactics, IMU fighters are notorious for launching sophisticated attacks. Unlike local Taliban who rely more on suicide bombings, IMU militants are expert in urban warfare and have proved their mettle in the past by launching a similar attack on Mehran Air Base a few years back in Karachi. 

Keeping in mind their brutal approach to battle and aggressiveness, the TTP (Tehreek e Taliban) cadres have kept an affectionate eye on IMU militants, sheltering and supporting them after the Pakistan Army asked local tribesmen in Waziristan to push Uzbek militants out of the tribal belt. 

IMU is mostly active in North and South Waziristan and has enjoyed support from the TTP.