Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Man Blamed For Bhutto Killing Is Dead

Mr Mehsud (back to the camera) does not like being photographed. He recently announced a ceasefire, but has warned that it will be jeopardised if the government "continues to be slaves to the US".

From CNN:

(CNN) -- The leader of Pakistan's Taliban, Baitullah Mehsud, is dead from kidney failure, sources told CNN.

The Pakistan government blamed Mehsud for the December 27, 2007, assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

An unnamed Islamabad-based source with connections within the Mehsud tribe in South Waziristan said Mehsud died about 1 a.m. Wednesday. Military officials in the field confirmed to CNN that Mehsud had died.

Geo Television of Pakistan and other local stations also reported his death.

But some reports also had the Taliban denying Mehsud's death.

Earlier reports said the leader of the Taliban in Pakistan was ill and was expected to die within a day. Mehsud is said to have succumbed to kidney failure and was believed to be about 34 years old.

Mehsud denied involvement in Bhutto's assassination.

Read more ....

Update 1:Pak Taliban commander Mehsud dies: Report -- NDTV
Update 2:Reports of Baitullah's death are false, sources say -- Long War journal

My Comment: The death of the man (if true) who is regarded as the head of the Pakistan Taliban is a big blow for that organization. The man who will succeed him will have big shoes to fill in .... let us hope that he fails.

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