Qari Zain

Qari Zainuddin Mehsud (died ), commonly known as Qari Zain, Pakistan's Daily Times described him as the "self-appointed successor of Taliban commander Abdullah Mehsud" 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 and Turkestan Bhittani held a jirga with about a hundred Mehsud tribal elders to rally against Baitullah Mehsud. 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 23 June 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."