Islamabad: Dreaded Islamic State militant group has appointed a breakaway Taliban commander as its chief in Khurasan, a historic name used by militants for an area covering Afghanistan, Pakistan and parts of India.

In a video posted online, Islamic State (IS) commander Abu Muhammad Al-Adni confirmed the name of former Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan spokesperson Hafiz Saeed Khan as the Amir (chief) of the Khurasan, potentially extending the group's influence into South Asia and challenging al-Qaeda leadership.