The Zain Group (also known as Abdullah Mehsud Group) is a Pakistani militant group that split from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in 2007 under the leadership of Qari Zainuddin. Zainuddin and his followers split from TTP when Baitullah Mehsud assumed the leadership after he allegedly gave the Pakistani government sensitive information that led to the death of the former leader, Abdullah Mehsud. The Zain Group held Baitullah responsible for Abdullah’s death and split with the goal of targeting TTP.[i]

Since its founding, the Zain Group has enjoyed support from the Pakistani government due to their overlapping interests in weakening TTP. According to a spokesperson from the Zain Group, Pakistan has provided modest funding to the organization through a zakat fund.[ii] In 2009, the Zain Group and Pakistani government cooperated in military operations targeting TTP leader Baitullah.[iii]

On June 23, 2009, the Zain Group leader Zainuddin was assassinated by one of his bodyguards, who is suspected to have been working for TTP leader Baitullah.[iv] The leadership of the Zain Group was then passed on to Misbahuddin Mehsud, who also reaffirmed the group’s commitment to fight TTP. Under his leadership, the Zain group also pledged support to Mullah Omar and Taliban militants in Afghanistan fighting against U.S. forces.[v]

In July 2009, three minor Taliban commanders based in South Waziristan allegedly reformed the Zain Group and appointed Ikhlas Khan Mesud as the new leader of the organization. The group continues to target TTP in South Waziristan.[vi]

There are also reports that the Pakistani government continues to provide support to the Zain Group to deploy fighters to secure areas that have been cleared by the military's ground offensive.[vii]

2009: 700-3,000 (Combating Terrorism Center, West Point)[i]

The Zain Group claims that the Pakistani military has provided modest funding to support the group’s activities against the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) through a religious donations fund, zakat.  The Pakistani government denies the claim.[i]

The Zain Group was originally based in South Waziristan agency located in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan. In 2009, it shifted its base to the Dera Ismail Khan district in the North West Frontier Province. It mainly operates along the border of South Waziristan in districts such as Tank and Dera Ismail Khan.[i]

The Zain Group has coordinated directly with the Pakistani government in the offensive against Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The government invited Qari Zainuddin to the capital city of Islamabad following its announcement of military operations targeting Baitullah Mehsud. Moreover, Zainuddin has opened two offices in Tank and Dera Ismail Kahn to meet with media representatives.[i]

The Zain Group primarily targets Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Qari Zainnudin, the former leader of the Zain Group, exploited propaganda tactics to detract from his competitors’ support bases in Pakistan’s western border region. In November 2008, Zainnudin distributed pamphlets in the North West Frontier Province accusing Baitullah Mehsud of defaming Islam, killing tribal elders, and eliminating militant commanders.[i] He circulated more of these pamphlets in 2009, also promising strict punishment for all those who provided shelter or financial support to Baitullah and his followers.[ii]

The Zain Group has cooperated with the Pakistani government. In 2009 there were reports that, the group assisted the Pakistani army in closing off South Waziristan's southern borders in order to enclose TTP fighters.[iii]

The Zain Group has actively spread propaganda material against Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leaders including Baitullah Mehsud and his successor Hakimullah.  Between 2008 and 2009, the group distributed pamphlets accusing Baitullah Mehsud of defaming Islam, killing tribal elders, and eliminating militant commanders.[i]

The Zain Group has openly declared its opposition to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), in particular to Baitullah Mehsud and his various successors. The Zain Group condemns TTP’s use of terrorism in Pakistan, deeming it un-Islamic. They have since waged a “blood feud” with TTP, primarily combating them in South Waziristan.[i]

In addition, the Zain Group has pledged support to Mullah Omar and Taliban militants fighting U.S. forces in Afghanistan; however, there is no evidence that it has directly cooperated with the Taliban.[ii]

According to a spokesperson of the Zain Group, the organization receives "modest" funding from the Pakistani government through a zakat fund.[i] The Pakistani government has officially denied allegations of funding the Zain Group.