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**Pete** · 08-08-2009, 04:46

Pakistani Taliban sows doubt over leader's death

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNe...5762T420090808

"ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - A fellow commander in the Pakistani Taliban insisted that Baitullah Mehsud, the movement's leader, was alive, the BBC reported on Saturday, rejecting government claims he had been eliminated in a U.S. drone strike.

Hakimullah Mehsud, one of the most powerful commanders in the tribal region, described reports of Mehsud's death as "ridiculous" and said it was "the handiwork of the intelligence agencies," the BBC Urdu service website said...."

&

"....Some analysts suspected that the Pakistani Taliban's leadership was divided over who should become the next chief and the denial aimed to buy time until a new leader is chosen.

Western governments with troops in Afghanistan are watching to see if any new Pakistani Taliban leader should shift focus from fighting the Pakistani government, and put their weight behind the Afghan insurgency led by Mullah Mohammad Omar......"

08-08-2009, 04:46	#6
Pete Quiet Professional Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Fayetteville Posts: 13,080	Pakistani Taliban sows doubt over leader's death Pakistani Taliban sows doubt over leader's death http://www.reuters.com/article/topNe...5762T420090808 "ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - A fellow commander in the Pakistani Taliban insisted that Baitullah Mehsud, the movement's leader, was alive, the BBC reported on Saturday, rejecting government claims he had been eliminated in a U.S. drone strike. Hakimullah Mehsud, one of the most powerful commanders in the tribal region, described reports of Mehsud's death as "ridiculous" and said it was "the handiwork of the intelligence agencies," the BBC Urdu service website said...." & "....Some analysts suspected that the Pakistani Taliban's leadership was divided over who should become the next chief and the denial aimed to buy time until a new leader is chosen. Western governments with troops in Afghanistan are watching to see if any new Pakistani Taliban leader should shift focus from fighting the Pakistani government, and put their weight behind the Afghan insurgency led by Mullah Mohammad Omar......"
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