Thaindian News

Islamabad, June 28 (IANS) Pakistan has offered a Rs.50 million reward for information on Baitullah Mehsud, a senior leader of the Tehrik-e-Taliban who is linked to the assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
Advertisements have appeared in newspapers here offering reward on information that leads to the arrest of Baitullah Mehsud and his accomplices.

The rewards are for militants, including three from South Waziristan, another three from Bajaur, two from Mohmand, two from Darra Adamkhel and one from Kurram Agency.

“A reward of Rs.50 million has been announced for the arrest of Baitullah Mehsud,” Geo TV reported Sunday.

According to the advertisements, Bajaur’s Molvi Faqir’s head money has been fixed at Rs.15 million while the head money of Rs.10 million each has been fixed on the arrests of Abdul Wali of Mohmand Agency, Qari Shakeel of Mohmand Agency, Commander Tariq of Darra Adamkhel, Hakimullah Mehsud and Qari Hussain of South Waziristan.

Information leading to the arrest of Qari Ziaur Rahman of Bajaur, Fazal Saeed Utezai of Kurram Agency, Mufti Ilyas of Darra Adamkhel and Waliur Rahman of Bajaur would be rewarded Rs.5 million each.

In March this year, the US offered a $5 million reward for information on Baitullah Mehsud.

Gordon Duguid, State Department acting deputy spokesperson, had said: “Mehsud is regarded as a key Al Qaeda facilitator in the tribal areas of South Waziristan in Pakistan.”

Pakistani authorities believe the January 2007 suicide bombing at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad was staged by militants loyal to Mehsud. Press reports have also linked Mehsud to the assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto and the deaths of other innocent civilians, a statement quoting Duguid said.