Pakistan probes claim on Taliban chief’s death

Pakistan probes claim on Taliban chief’s death
Posted by Saudi Gazette
Monday, 01 February 2010 - 16 Safar 1431 H

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistani army said Sunday that it was investigating reports that Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud died from injuries sustained in a US drone missile strike in mid-January.

The militant leader’s death would be an important success for both Pakistan, which has been battling the Pakistani Taliban, and the US, which blames Mehsud for a recent deadly bombing against the CIA in Afghanistan. The army’s disclosure came shortly after Pakistani state television, citing unnamed “official sources,” reported that Mehsud died in Orakzai, an area in Pakistan’s northwest tribal region where he was reportedly being treated for his injuries.

“We have these reports coming to us,” said army spokesman Gen. Athar Abbas. “We are investigating whether it is true or wrong.” A tribal elder told that he attended Mehsud’s funeral in the Mamuzai area of Orakzai on Thursday. He said Mehsud was buried in Mamuzai graveyard after he died at his in-laws’ home. Pakistani intelligence officials have said that Mehsud was targeted in a US drone strike in South Waziristan on Jan. 14, triggering rumors that he had been injured or killed. The strike targeted a meeting of militant commanders in the Shaktoi area of South Waziristan.

Mehsud issued two audio tapes after the strike denying the rumors. But Pakistani intelligence officials said on Sunday that they have confirmation that the Taliban chief’s legs and abdomen were wounded in the strike.

The Pakistani Taliban denied reports that their chief, Hakimullah Mehsud, is dead. Taliban spokesmen admitted this month that Mehsud was in the Shaktoi area where the drones hit, but said he left about an hour beforehand. – AP/AFP

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