The split in the Pakistan-based terrorist outfit Hizbul Mujahideen has become formal with the faction owing allegiance to the late Abdul Majid Dar merging with the Hizb-e-Islami, according to Pakistan's Daily Times newspaper.

Dar, who was opposed to Hizb chief Syed Salahuddin, was expelled from the outfit. He was later killed in Jammu and Kashmir.

"After meetings during the last one month failed to reunite the Hizb, the splinter group decided to join the Hizb-e-Islami led by Masood Sarfraz," the daily quoted sources as saying.

"All top commanders of the Dar group and majority of its mujahideen joined the Hizb-e-Islami, but some mujahideen refused to work under the new flag and leadership and they returned to their parent organisation," the report said.

While over 350 terrorists of the Dar group joined Hizb-e-Islami, 'some 50 to 60 mujahideen rejoined the Hizb', it said.