Taliban Denies Reports of Leader's Death
The Pakistani Taliban on Monday denied reports that their leader died from injuries sustained in a U.S. drone strike in mid-January, saying they would try to provide proof he is alive in the next few days.
The denial came a day after a state television report of Hakimullah Mehsud's death set off a flurry of speculation and . The state TV report was apparently based on witnesses who said they had attended his funeral last week.
The Pakistani Taliban issued similar denials after former leader Baitullah Mehsud was killed in a U.S. drone strike in August, only admitting his death after the group chose Hakimullah Mehsud as his successor almost three weeks later.
Hakimullah Mehsud's death would inflict major damage against an al Qaeda ally already under pressure from U.S. and Pakistani attacks, but would be unlikely to deal a killer blow to an organization blamed for scores of bloody bombings.
A close aide to Mehsud called the report of the militant chief's death "government propaganda" and said he was "doing well."
"We will try in a day or two to give you proof that he is alive," the senior Taliban commander told The Associated Press by telephone from an undisclosed location. He spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of government retribution.
Verifying developments in the tribal area where Mehsud is reported to have died is difficult. The Pakistan army and the United States are believed to have a network of informants there, but many places are under effective militant control. There are few independent journalists working there.
The New York Times and the Washington Post quoted anonymous U.S. officials as saying Sunday they were more than 90 percent certain Mehsud had died. The Long War Journal, a U.S. Web site that closely monitors the American missile campaign in the northwest, quoted U.S. intelligence officials as saying there was no indication he had been killed.
The Pakistani army launched a major operation in the Pakistani Taliban's main stronghold of South Waziristan in mid-October that retook the area but failed to kill many of the movement's leaders.
Taliban commanders Waliur Rehman and Qari Hussein are seen as the two most likely successors to replace Mehsud. Hussein is known as the group's chief trainer of suicide bombers. Rehman was the commander in South Waziristan. In remarks to the media, they have shown themselves to be just as committed to war against the Pakistani state and the United States as Mehsud.
"Even if Hakimullah Mehsud is dead ... violence is not on the verge of ending, indeed the country will be bracing itself for retaliatory strikes," the Dawn newspaper said in an editorial. "But neither should the severe damage inflicted on the Pakistani Taliban be underestimated."
While considered distinct organizations, the Pakistan Taliban are closely allied with the Taliban across the border in Afghanistan, where U.S. and NATO troops are being killed by insurgents in greater numbers than ever before. Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, also believed to be hiding out in Pakistan's northwest, is a supporter.
Hakimullah has been reported dead at least twice before, once in an alleged power struggle following the death of Baitullah. If the Taliban do not acknowledge their leader's death, DNA testing will likely be needed to confirm it.
Pakistani intelligence officials had said that Hakimullah was targeted in a U.S. drone strike against a meeting of militant commanders in South Waziristan on Jan. 14, triggering rumors he had been injured or killed. The militant chief issued an audiotape after the strike directly denying the rumors, and his voice sounded strong.
Mohammed Amir Rana, an expert on militant groups at the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies, said if true, the death of Hakimullah could trigger disarray within the Taliban ranks as they determine a successor.
"I think it would reduce the terror threat for a while until they can reorganize their structure," said Rana.
He also said Mehsud's death could reduce public opposition to the U.S. missile strikes in the tribal areas, pointing out the attacks have killed more Taliban leaders than several offensives launched by the Pakistani army over the last 18 months.
Hakimullah, who has the reputation as a particularly ruthless militant, took over leadership of the Pakistani Taliban soon after Baitullah's death. The Pakistani Taliban stepped up its attacks after the army invaded its stronghold of South Waziristan in mid-October. More than 600 people have been killed in attacks throughout the country since the ground offensive was launched.
By Associated Press Writers Ishtiaq Mahsud and Chris Brummitt