Qari Zain Qari Zainuddin Mehsud ( ? ? ? - 23 June 2009 ) , commonly known as Qari Zain , was a citizen of Pakistan , a member of the Mehsud tribe , and a leader of a Taliban faction in South Waziristan , one of Pakistan ' s Federally Administered Tribal Areas . Pakistan ' s " Daily Times " described him as the " self - appointed successor of Taliban commander Abdullah Mehsud " although he feuded with Baitullah Mehsud over leadership of the Pakistani Taliban . In the months before his assassination , the Pakistani government unofficially supported Zainuddin as a counter to Baitullah . Life . Qari Zainuddin , a member of the Shaman Khel sub - clan of the Mehsud tribe , was born in Shaho Deeba village of South Waziristan ' s Sarokai subdivision . He received education from the Jami ’ a Speen Mosque , the Darul Uloom Faizoo in Lakki Marwat and also in the seminary of Maulana Taqi Usmani in Korangi , Karachi . After his education , he traveled in support of the Taliban to Afghanistan . Zainuddin joined Abdullah Mehsud , his cousin , after Abdullah attempted to assert his leadership of the Pakistani Taliban in the wake of Nek Muhammad Wazir ' s death in 2004 . After Abdullah and later his brother Masudur Rahman were killed , Qari Zain assumed leadership of the Abdullah Mehsud faction . Rivalry within Pakistani Taliban . After Nek Muhammad ' s death , Abdullah Mehsud and Baitullah Mehsud both vied for dominance of the Pakistani Taliban . When Abdullah died in a raid by Pakistani security forces and later his successor perished in a bomb explosion , Qari Zain and other members of Abdullah ' s faction suspected that Baitullah played a role in the attacks . The rivalry continued after Zainuddin obtained leadership of Abdullah ' s group . Senior Taliban leader Maulvi Nazir , whose relationship with Baitullah had deteriorated over the issue of sheltering Uzbek miltants , offered his support to Zainuddin . After Nazir and Baitullah , along with Hafiz Gul Bahadur , pledged in February 2009 to set aside their differences to focus efforts upon NATO forces in Afghanistan , Qari Zain ' s forces allied with a group led by Turkestan Bhittani , an older Taliban figure who had unofficially aligned with the government in its fight against Baitullah . In March 2009 the two competing factions distributed pamphlets that leveled accusations against the other groups ' leader . Zainuddin ' s pamphlet , distributed on March 16 , stated : In response Baitullah Mehsud called Abdullah Mehsud ( and indirectly Zainuddin as Abdullah ' s successor ) a " puppet of the government " , and said : " Zainuddin and his comrades are cruel robbers and have rebelled against Islam and the [ Mehsud ] nation . " In a June 2009 interview with Geo News , Qari Zainuddin Mehsud said that " Islam cannot spread with the use of force but with invitation , " and added that he was against suicide attacks inside Pakistan . He also distanced himself from the TTP by denouncing the organization and reaffirmed his commitment to the cause of Tehrik - e - Taliban Afghanistan . " We are Tehreek - e - Taliban Afghanistan , and we have nothing to do with Tehreek - e - Taliban Pakistan . " Zainuddin and Turkestan Bhittani held a jirga with about a hundred Mehsud tribal elders to rally against Baitullah Mehsud . Personal rivalry with Baitullah . The rivalry between Qari Zain and Baitullah also had a personal aspect in addition to their respective differences over preferred methods and goals . Baitullah had killed several of Zainuddin ' s family members , including his father . Just six days before Qari Zainuddin ' s death he said in interview with Geo TV , “ Islam does not allow carrying out activities within Pakistan and this is the main cause that led to the difference with Baitullah Mehsud . ” He said scholars like Maulana Hasan Jan declared suicide attacks as un - Islamic . The declaration led to the killing of Maulan Hasan by Baitullah . He said “ Islam cannot spread with the use of force but with invitation , ” Qari Zain observed he also clarified , “ We are Tehreek - e - Taliban Afghanistan and we have nothing to do with Tehreek - e - Taliban Pakistan , ” . Assassination . On June 23 , 2009 Qari Zainuddin Mehsud was killed in Dera Ismail Khan by bodyguard Gulbadin Mehsud , who escaped after the attack . According to Baz Mohammad , who was also wounded and was one of Zainuddin ' s aides , the gunman attacked immediately following morning prayers . Zainuddin was pronounced dead at the hospital from multiple gunshot wounds to the head and chest . Mohammad placed blame for the attack upon Baitullah Mehsud . At the funeral , Turkestan Bhittani vowed to continue the fight against Baitullah Mehsud . After the ceremony Zainuddin ' s brother Misabhuddin was appointed the new leader of the Abdullah Mehsud group . Misabhuddin told BBC News that he would not rest until Baitullah ' s death and that he would continue the " jihad against American and its allies in Afghanistan . "