Refuting rumors he was killed in clashes in Pakistan in August, the Pakistani Taliban's second in command, Fakir Mohammed, tells AfPax Insider that "the U.S. is heading all the evil activities" in Pakistan and Afghanistan and warns the Pakistani leadership to distance itself from the U.S. government.

AfPax Insider is the soon-to-launch sister service of IraqSlogger, which will feature AfPax scoops in advance of the service's formal launch.

In a May interview with NBC News, Mohammed, an al Qaeda ally, said his forces hoped to obtain nuclear weapons "soon" and would use them as directed by "Allah."

Here are key excerpts from the September 1 AfPax Insider interview:

Question: Who do you think is your enemy? Is it Pakistan, NATO or the US?

We feel that Pakistan is our country and it's our duty to defend it. We respect Pakistan's geographical borders. We think that the US is heading all the evil activities because it likes to keep other countries as slaves and imposes war on them. And they want the whole world to follow their policies, which is wrong and would bring disaster.

Question: How will you comment on the combat operations that are going on.

All these operations going on in Pakistan are just to please the Americans. They are going to fail. We don't want to fight with Pakistanis, especially the mujahiddin fighting in Bajaur who want an understanding of some kind. Basically the US wants to make the Tribal Areas war zones. And our inept leaders take money from them and US wants to eliminate the tribal areas and if that happens the whole country will be in danger.

Question: how many mujahiddins have been killed in the Bajaur operation?

According to our reports only 6 mujahiddins were killed. But because of the use of helicopters and fighter jets there were only civilian casualties.

Question: Do you think that Bajaur inhabitants are supporting you or not?

We think not only the Bajaur Muslims but all Muslims in Pakistan support us.

Question: Mujahiddins fight in Afghanistan, so what's your purpose in fighting in Pakistan?

All the clashes going on in Afghanistan and Pakistan are by our Mujahiddin to defend themselves. It's to defend the people of those countries, because their leaders have imposed their own forces on them. And even in Afghanistan, the fight is to defend ourselves, because the fighter jets try to kill us. So you can say that we are trying to defend ourselves or take revenge.

Question: Why did you form Tehreek e Taliban?

This is our country. We are not insane. We understand everything, and we are like unpaid servants. We want to serve the country, the religion and the people. We think that it is our duty and we want to keep an eye on our enemy.

Question: So you will fight with Pakistan?

It totally depends on the leaders of this country and if f they are going to follow the US policy. They shouldn't follow them. They should apologize and tell NATO and other forces that they can't fight with the Mujahiddin. They call the mujahiddin suiciders, but they are not. This all depends on the government's policy. If they back out from following the US, there won't be any suicide attacks.

Question: Do you think the masses are supporting you?

We sure think that they do.

Question: What is your source of financing?

Most of the part comes from booty. And then the people who fight with us, they bring stuff with them, or we get their belongings. In Afghanistan or in Pakistan when we fight we capture all the arms and leftovers later.

Question: The Pakistan government announced the ceasefire, what do you say about it?

It's a good step. But it shouldn't just be oral - they should put it into practice.

Question: Molana Fazul ur Rehman has said that he will vote Zardari for the presidency only if he agrees to four points. first, to stop the operation etc.. so what do you think about it?

This is very good. We support him for this. Given we think that Zardari shouldn't be supported at any cost. We think he should support or vote for people who really care about Pakistan.