Islamabad, Nov 2 (IANS) The Pakistan government Monday offered a reward of $5 million for information on the country’s Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud and 18 of his associates.
The reward is for information on Tehreek-e-Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud and his associates who have vowed deadly attacks across the country in retaliation over US drone strikes.

The rewards were offered in a government advertisement on the front page of The News daily and flashed on Pakistani television channels overnight.

“Anyone who captures these people dead or alive or provides concrete information, the government will award them a cash reward,” The Nation quoted the advertisement as saying.

“The banned Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) terrorists are daily involved in deadly activities and because of their activities innocent Muslims are going to the valley of death,” it added.

The largest rewards of 50 million Pakistan rupees each were offered for Mehsud, senior leader Wali ur-Rehman Mehsud and Qari Hussain Mehsud, also described as a master trainer of suicide bombers.

Eleven commanders had rewards of 20 million rupees each and rewards of 10 million rupees each were on offer for five others.

Pakistan has been hit by a string of terror strikes since Oct 5 that has left over 200 people dead. The worst terror attack took place in Peshawar Oct 28 when over 105 people were killed in a massive bombing in a crowded market.

The army has stepped up its offensive against the Taliban in South Waziristan and has been able to wrest control over some of the areas.