MEHSUD
Pakistani Taliban leader 'killed'.....A major blow to the TalibanThere are growing indications that Pakistan's most wanted man, Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud, has been killed by a US missile. A Mehsud aide reportedly confirmed that he had died when a drone attacked the house where he was staying. Pakistan's foreign minister said he was "pretty certain" he was dead, adding that he would be hard to replace.
Taliban leaders have gathered in South Waziristan to choose a successor, local sources have told the media.
ANALYSIS: Speculation about whether Baitullah Mehsud is dead or alive is rife across Pakistan - from the mountainous tribal territory of South Waziristan to the capital Islamabad.
But the ambiguity surrounding his reported death may well persist. Nobody has as yet been willing or able to confirm his demise.
The Taliban have a strategy of blocking traffic to any area where missiles hit, so that the number of casualties and the identities of the dead remain unknown. They often bury the dead immediately to remove evidence.
Whether he is dead or alive, there are three possible ways of getting some clarity. Communication intercepts may well pick up some news from key sources; ground intelligence might yield clues, although the government denies it has sources on the ground; or the Taliban may announce his death and could even announce his successor.
People living close to the scene of the missile attack in South Waziristan said Baitullah Mehsud had been killed with his wife early on Wednesday. The remoteness of the location is contributing to the delay in establishing the facts.
The missile fired by the US drone hit the home of the Taliban chief's father-in-law, Malik Ikramuddin, in the Zangarha area, (9 miles) north-east of Ladha. At the time of the attack, the Taliban leader was said to be on the roof. Some, who have reportedly seen his body said that it had been half-destroyed by the blast.
Baitullah Mehsud was buried in the nearby village of Nardusa,according to the winesses.
A spokseman for President Obama said that the US cannot confirm or deny the report at present, but the consesus of opinion is that it is true.
But the ambiguity surrounding his reported death may well persist. Nobody has as yet been willing or able to confirm his demise.
The Taliban have a strategy of blocking traffic to any area where missiles hit, so that the number of casualties and the identities of the dead remain unknown. They often bury the dead immediately to remove evidence.
Whether he is dead or alive, there are three possible ways of getting some clarity. Communication intercepts may well pick up some news from key sources; ground intelligence might yield clues, although the government denies it has sources on the ground; or the Taliban may announce his death and could even announce his successor.
People living close to the scene of the missile attack in South Waziristan said Baitullah Mehsud had been killed with his wife early on Wednesday. The remoteness of the location is contributing to the delay in establishing the facts.
The missile fired by the US drone hit the home of the Taliban chief's father-in-law, Malik Ikramuddin, in the Zangarha area, (9 miles) north-east of Ladha. At the time of the attack, the Taliban leader was said to be on the roof. Some, who have reportedly seen his body said that it had been half-destroyed by the blast.
Baitullah Mehsud was buried in the nearby village of Nardusa,according to the winesses.
A spokseman for President Obama said that the US cannot confirm or deny the report at present, but the consesus of opinion is that it is true.
So, are we making headway? Are we any closer to an end to the war on terrorism ? Or, will they just replace that man with another, who has just as much hate and violence in his soul? All in the name of religion. Convenient.
I truly hope we are making headway,lets hope he's not replaced.
ReplyDeleteThere is not enough love for our fellow sisters/brothers in the world anymore, we need to get back to basics and try to save our planet, because all of this fighting and killing is useless and a waste of time.
Hear,hear.
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