Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi Movement for the Enforcement of Islamic Law |
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Leader(s) |
Sufi Muhammad (2002–2011) Maulana Fazlullah (1992–2007) |
Dates of operation | 1992–2016 |
Active region(s) | Pakistan |
Ideology | Deobandi fundamentalism |
Status | Active |
Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM, English: Movement for the Enforcement of Islamic Law) is a Pakistani militant group whose objective is to enforce Sharia law in the country. The rebel group took over much of Swat in 2007. It was founded by Sufi Muhammad in 1992, and was banned by President Pervez Musharraf on January 12, 2002.
The organization is active in the areas along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, especially Dir, Swat and Malakand but including Dargai and Chenagai. It supports the Taliban forces in neighbouring Afghanistan. It has been described as "one of the most dangerous religious militant groups in Pakistan." When the founder was imprisoned on January 15, 2002, Maulana Fazlullah, his son-in-law, assumed leadership of the group.Sufi Muhammad was freed in 2008 after he renounced violence.
TNSM militia members are "identified by their shoulder-length hair and camouflage vests over traditional shalwar kameez clothing", according to a 2007 Associated Press report. Numerous non-native militants have been recruited to work with the group from elsewhere in North Waziristan, many of them originally from outside Pakistan, including Afghans and Arabs.
As part of what it sees as enforcement of Sharia law, the group has bombed girls schools and blown up video and CD shops. Fazlullah has also used his FM broadcasts to urge schoolgirls to wear all-covering burqas and has forced the closure of some development organizations, accusing them of spreading immorality by employing female staff.
The group was founded by Sufi Muhammad in 1992 after he left Jamaat-e-Islami, in which he was an active leader.