New Dangers in Pakistan Taliban Leader's "Death", AFP, 5 February 2010
EXCERPT: "The death of Pakistan's Taliban supremo in a US missile strike, if confirmed, would deal a major blow to the militant nexus but could magnify the dangers should Al-Qaeda exploit a leadership vacuum. US officials increasingly believe that Hakimullah Mehsud, who rose suddenly to the Taliban leadership after a US missile killed his predecessor Baitullah Mehsud six months ago, has succumbed to the same fate. They have no physical evidence and Pakistan has not confirmed his demise officially. But neither have the Taliban issued a promised message to prove their leader is alive, since an audio recording three weeks ago. Killing Mehsud would be a coup for the United States, which stepped up its drone war after the warlord appeared in a video with Al-Qaeda claiming a December 30 bombing that killed five CIA officers in Afghanistan. 'Hakimullah was more energetic and active than Baitullah. If it's proven he's killed, then this will be a great loss for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP),' a Pakistani intelligence official told AFP on condition of anonymity. 'His next successor could be Wali-ur-Rehman, who is not as active but rather more passive,' the official added... 'There's a good likelihood that he's dead,' a US defense official told AFP on Thursday, arguing that with no appearance or communication by Mehsud, 'the rumors of his demise become more deeply seated'."
Read the full story.
Related articles:
US puzzles over top militant's fate, The Wall Street Journal, 5 February 2010
US believes Mehsud is dead, The National, 4 February 2010
Hakeemullah Mehsud's big mistake, The Huffington Post, 4 February 2010
Toofan Mullah as new TTP caretaker chief, SAMAA, 3 February 2010
Top aide killed with Hakimullah in strike, Indian Express, 3 February 2010
Hakeemullah cultivates ruthless reputation, DAWN, 14 January 2010
Related posts:
Would Mehsud's death be a "fatal blow" for Taliban?, 2 February 2010
Pakistan investigates reports of TTP leader's death, 1 February 2010
CIA deaths prompt surge in drone strikes, 25 January 2010
Mehsud Jirga agrees to hand over TTP chief, 21 January 2010
Drones target Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leader Mehsud, kill 20, 18
January 2010
