Breif History of IMU
Usman Ghazi
To those who don't know IMU or the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, an officially declared terrorist organization, was initially formed by a Russian paratrooper turned radical, Juma Namangani and another man Tahir Youldesh aka Tahir Jan, to overthrow the then Uzbek government and form an Islamic Caliphate in Uzbekistan.
After being driven away from Uzbekistan they sought refuge with the Taliban government, which was in charge in Afghanistan. Taliban saw the group as committed tough fighters and so deployed them against Ahmad Shah Masood in the rough mountainous terrain of Shahi Kot.
After the September 11 attacks Juma Namangani was killed in an air strike in Mazar-eSharif. The leadership was left to Qari Tahir Jan. Proving their toughness in battle field, the Uzbek, militants, managed to defend their allocated area (from the joint forces of U.S and Northern Alliance) of Shahi Kot for a long time. The National Geographic has a documentary on the Shahi Kot fight, describing the Uzbek militants as Al-Qeada fighters.
Finally after a retreat from Shahi Kot, IMU sought refuge with Haji Noor Islam, a tribesman from Wana, South Waziristan.
Haji Noor Islam Wazir pictured far right
After developing considerable differences with the local Taliban groups, the IMU fighters after a fight with Mullah Nazeer's men (supported by Army) were pushed to North Waziristan. Where they established their base and used as a ground to launch attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They frequently released the video of their activities by the name of Afghanistonda in Afghanistan and Qaboilda in Pakistan. It was in North Waziristan where IMU's Emir Tahir Jan was killed in a drone strike.
Hakeemullah Mehsud , Usman Aadil and Usman Ghazi (L-R)
A new Emir, Usman Aadil, was selected to lead the group. After Usman Aadil's killing in a drone strike the leadership was transferred to Usman Ghazi. Who pledged allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakar al Baghdadi. IMU went a step further and wrote an open letter to the Afghan Taliban, criticizing them and asking them to give Bayah to ISIS leader.
Usman Ghazi after pleading allegiance to ISIS
Later 10 people from IMU attacked the Karachi airport and prompted the Pakistan's military to launch operation Zarb-e-Azab in North Waziristan. After several months into the operation IMU shifted its base from Shawal Valley in North Waziristan to Zabul province of Afghanistan. There they joined forces with Mullah Dadullah Akhund, who was also critical of the Taliban leadership.
Tension raised between the Afghan Taliban and the ISIS coalition of IMU+Dadullah to such an extent that the Afghan Taliban raided their base and killed all of them excep for Tahir Jan's brother. One IMU supporter on Twitter giving account of the incident said,
An Afghan Taliban spokesman giving the account of the incident released the pictures of the dead body of Usman Ghazi. Who, he said, had shaved his beard to escape the Taliban attack.
Usman Ghazi
After Usman Ghazi's Killing many analysts conclude that it might be the end of IMU. However a statement on behalf of IMU surfaced in which the decision of Usman Ghazi to join ISIS was criticized. The statement in English also announced the revival of the group.
The Pictures of that letter are given below
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