Hakimullah Mehsud appointed head of Pakistani Taliban
August 22nd, 2009 - 6:19 pm ICT by IANS
Islamabad, Aug 22 (IANS) A 42-member tribal gathering Saturday appointed Hakimullah Mehsud as the new head of the Pakistani Taliban though the group insists its previous head Baitullah Mehsud is still alive.
Talking to BBC from an unknown location, acting TTP head Moulvi Faqir Muhammad categorically refuted reports that Baitullah Mehsud had been killed in a US drone attack last week.
He, however, admitted that Mehsud was ailing and was, therefore, keeping a low profile.
Muhammad also said that Baitullah Mehsud had wanted to name his successor during his lifetime and the tribal meeting was called to ratify his decision.
US special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke said last week Baitullah Mehsud’s elimination was a “very big deal” in terms of security efforts in Pakistan.
“The end of Baitullah Mehsud, as we all know, is a very big deal,” he said Aug 12, citing reports of “disarray among his people, of other factions manoeuvring” following the apparent death of the Taliban leader.
The Pakistani Taliban, an alliance of around 13 militant groups, is blamed for a wave of bomb and suicide attacks across Pakistan, including the one that killed former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in December 2007.
- Drone strike didn't kill top leader: Pakistani Taliban - Jan 16, 2012
- Hakeemullah Mehsud named new Pak Taliban chief - Aug 22, 2009
- Taliban appoints Muslim Khan as spokesman - Aug 19, 2009
- I am Pakistani Taliban chief, says Maulvi Faqir - Aug 20, 2009
- Mehsud's elimination 'very big deal' for Pakistan: Holbrooke - Aug 13, 2009
- Prove Baitullah Mehsud is alive, Pakistan tells Taliban - Aug 11, 2009
- Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud's brother killed in Pak - Nov 01, 2010
- US doubtful about winning war on Pakistan border - Dec 06, 2010
- Al Qaeda had no role in Pak Taliban chief's appointment: Faqir - Sep 01, 2009
- Top Taliban commander claims he has replaced Mehsud - Aug 20, 2009
- Pakistani Taliban confirm Baitullah Mehsud's death - Aug 25, 2009
- Hakeemullah's take over as TTP chief 'speculative': Malik - Aug 25, 2009
- Holbrooke to warn Pak against terror strikes from its soil during Afghan polls - Aug 16, 2009
- No talks with Taliban: Rehman Malik - Dec 12, 2011
- Pakistan Taliban leader denies Mehsud's death (Lead) - Aug 08, 2009
Tags: apparent death, bbc, benazir bhutto, bomb, disarray, drone, factions, faqir muhammad, former prime minister, islamabad, lifetime, low profile, militant groups, pakistan, richard holbrooke, security efforts, suicide attacks, taliban, taliban leader, tribal gathering
