WorldISLAMABAD, AFP -A major Pakistani militant group worked with the Islamic State to carry out a huge raid on a police academy in the country's southwest this week that left more than 60 dead, a spokesman said Wednesday. It was also claimed by the Islamic State group, which released photographs of the attackers -- one of whom bore a strong resemblance to a fighter who was killed by security forces in the attack. LeJ is also affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban who in turn pledge allegiance to Al-Qaeda -- their main financial backers during the early years of their insurgency. “But IS has not nominated any specific group as its franchise or affiliate in Pakistan and different militant groups are trying to use this open window which sometimes creates a competition of sorts,” he said. The vacuum has created opportunities for IS to step in and develop new relationships with local jihadists, a militant source told AFP.

Source: Sunday Times October 26, 2016 13:41 UTC