Pakistani Taliban threatens Burma

The Pakistan Taliban has warned Islamabad to cut ties with Burma or face attacks in support of persecuted Muslims in the south-east Asian country.

Activists of Muslim Youth Hyderabad burn an effigy of the President of Burma, Thein Sein, during a protest against Muslim killings in Burma.

In a statement released on Thursday, a spokesman for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), promised to take revenge for attacks on Burmese Muslims.

"We warn Pakistani government to halt all relations with Burmese government and close down their embassy in Islamabad otherwise we will not only attack the Burmese interests anywhere but will also attack the Pakistani fellows of Burma one by one," said Ehsanullah Ehsan.

"We appeal to media especially who call themselves representative of Muslims to broadcast the real situation in Burma and what's happening to Burmese Muslims."

Recent clashes in western Burma between Buddhist ethnic Rakhine and Muslim Rohingya have left dozens dead and tens of thousands homeless.

Decades of discrimination have left the Rohingya stateless, and they are viewed by the United Nations as one of the world's most persecuted minorities.

Last week Amnesty International said there were "credible reports" of abuses – including rape, destruction of property and unlawful killings – by both Rakhine Buddhists and by Burmese government forces.
Thousands have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh as a result.
A Pakistan government spokesman expressed concern for Muslims in Burma.
"Pakistan hopes that government of Burma would take effective measures to overcome the deteriorating law and order situation," he said.
The TTP has close ties to al-Qaeda but few analysts believe it has the capacity to launch attacks beyond Pakistan.