Radio Maulana

A recently formed bloc of the Pakistani Taliban announced its split from the group's official leadership Thursday, pledging its loyalty to a brash young commander linked to a series of brazen attacks.

One of the Taliban's most feared commanders, Maulana Fazlullah, carefully briefed two killers from his special hit squad on their next target.

Afghan officials said on Thursday they were investigating reports that a leader of the Pakistani Taliban may have been killed in fighting in the remote mountains of eastern Afghanistan.

A recently formed bloc of the Pakistani Taliban announced its split from the group's official leadership Thursday, pledging its loyalty to a brash young commander linked to a series of brazen attacks.

One of the Taliban's most feared commanders, Maulana Fazlullah, carefully briefed two killers from his special hit squad on their next target.

Afghan officials said on Thursday they were investigating reports that a leader of the Pakistani Taliban may have been killed in fighting in the remote mountains of eastern Afghanistan.