Pakistan Taliban chief said targeted by U.S. drone

14 January 2010 09:08 am - 0 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) - A U.S. drone fired two missiles on Thursday at a compound in northwest Pakistan where Pakistani Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud was believed to have been, but it was not clear if he was killed, Pakistani officials said.

Twelve militants were killed in the drone strike on a compound on the border between the North and South Waziristan tribal regions, near the Afghan frontier, the officials said.

"We had information that he was around there. We're checking on whether he was killed," a Pakistani security official, who declined to be identified, told Reuters.

"He was the target, he has probably been killed," said another security official.

A Pakistani Taliban spokesman told Dawn TV that Mehsud was safe and had left minutes before the strike.

Mehsud took over as leader of the Pakistani Taliban five months ago, after his predecessor, Baitullah Mehsud, was killed in a similar U.S. drone strike.

The United States has intensified attacks by its pilotless drone aircraft in Waziristan since a suicide bomber crossed over Pakistan's border and killed seven CIA employees in an attack in eastern Afghanistan on December 30.

A video was released at the weekend showing Hakimullah Mehsud sitting beside the CIA bomber, a Jordanian double agent, creating the impression that Mehsud's group played a major role in the second biggest attack on the CIA in its history.

The double agent, Humam Khalil Abu Mulal al-Balawi, blew himself inside Forward Operating Base Chapman, a well-fortified U.S. compound in Khost province in southeast Afghanistan, killing seven CIA employees and a Jordanian officer.

In the video, which could not be immediately verified, al-Balawi sat cross-legged in a green camouflage jacket and called for revenge attacks for the killing of Baitullah Mehsud.

Hakimullah Mehsud's whereabouts have not been known since the Pakistani army launched an offensive in his South Waziristan bastion in mid-October.

The army has captured most of his main bases.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Pakistan Taliban chief said targeted by U.S. drone

Comments - 0

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

Confusion remains if April 15 is a bank holiday

Belgian traveller scammed in Kalutara

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

MIRROR CRICKET

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Debt Restructuring Talks: Bondholders Fear Regime Change Impact

Don’t be deceived by NPP and Cardinal Ranjith: UNP

Emirates halts check-in for connections, UL cancels flights to Dubai

Plans afoot to obtain “Blue Flag Beaches” certification for SL beaches

Hardik fined Rs 12 lakh for violating IPL code of conduct after win over Punjab Kings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings