Asia

Suspense continues over Pak Taliban commander Baitullah’s death

Pak Taliban commander Baitullah MehsudWashington, Oct 2: Suspense still prevails over the death of Pakistan Taliban’s (TTP) top commander Baitullah Mehsud, even as the country’s intelligence officials cast doubts over the reports claiming he died of a prolonged illness on Tuesday night.

The Christian Science Monitor (CSM) quoted one of Mehsud's sub-commanders Sami Yousafzai as saying that he had met with the militant leader on Tuesday night and that “his blood sugar level was improving, and with it, his general health”.

Pak Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud dies of illness

Pak Taliban commander Baitullah MehsudIslamabad, Oct 1: Baitullah Mehsud, a top commander of the Pakistan’s unit of the Taliban – the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), reportedly died of a prolonged illness on Tuesday. He was initially accused of masterminding the killing of former Pakistan premier Benazir Bhutto on December 27, but he later denied having a hand in the assassination.

He was believed to be suffering from diabetes and hypertension, reported a Pakistan-based TV channel “Dawn News”. Though, the TV report was silent on any confirmation from the TTP.

Four killed in US attack in Pakistan

Four killed in US attack in PakistanIslamabad - At least four people were killed and nine injured as a US drone attacked a house in the border area of Pakistan with Afghanistan, news reports said Wednesday.

Quoting Pakistani security officials, GEO TV television reported that a US pilotless drone fired missiles at a house near the town Mir Ali in North Waziristan.

Two other drones were shot at earlier, the report said.

North Waziristan is regarded a haven for Taleban militants and members of the al-Qaeda terrorism network.

Pakistani Taliban leader dead, reports say

Baitullah MehsudIslamabad - Baitullah Mehsud, leader of Pakistan's Taliban militants died from illness, news reports said Wednesday.

Mehsud, believed to be in his 30s, suffered from high blood pressure and kidney disease, the GEO TV television said.

The leader of a united front of smaller Taliban groups called the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or Pakistan Taliban Movement, Mehsud was blamed for the murder of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in December by Pakistan's former government, a claim he reportedly denied.

Four tribesmen killed in NWFP in suspected US drone strike

North-West Frontier ProvinceMiranshah (NWFP), Oct 1: In another incident of the likes which have heightened tensions between America and Pakistan over the past one month, four tribesmen were killed and nine others injured, when a missile was launched by a suspected US spy drone.

The attack is the latest in a string of incidents on the rugged NWFP that have strained Pak-US ties, including a clash between Pakistani troops and US-led forces in Afghanistan.

Pak officials say abducted Afghan envoy “not freed” yet

PeshawarPeshawar, Oct 1: Denying reports appearing in the Pakistani media that the abducted Afghan envoy Abdul Khaliq Farahi was released on Monday morning, senior security officials in Peshawar have said that there was still no trace of the missing diplomat.

They said that the media reports were “false and irresponsible”, and that they might have been intentionally planted by someone.

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