Is Hakimullah Mehsud dead? Not sure, says Pak

Pakistani Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud has died due to injuries sustained in a United States' drone attack, the state-run television reported on Sunday, though the government said there was 'no verifiable information' about his death.

The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan chief had died in the home of his father-in-law due to wounds sustained in a drone strike earlier this month, PTV quoted local sources in Aurakzai tribal region as saying. The channel also reported that Mehsud was buried in Mamoonzai area of Aurakzai Agency.

However, Interior Minister Rehman Malik told reporters that the government had "no verifiable information" to confirm Mehsud's death. The Inter-Services Public Relations too said there was no confirmation of the militant commander's death.

"The local population and tribal elders are saying Mehsud is dead. We have no verifiable information to confirm he is dead. I am unable to officially confirm unless I have some verifiable information," Malik said.

He noted that the PTV correspondent too had quoted local sources. Reports have been doing the rounds, particularly in Pakistan's tribal belt, over the past few days that Mehsud was seriously injured in a US drone attack in Shaktoi area of North Waziristan on January 14.

Sources inside Taliban have revealed to rediff.com, "Hakimullah Mehsud is alive but has received some minor injuries on his face during an attack at South Waziristan. After recovery, he will appear before the media.'  

Responding to the media report, Taliban spokesperson Azam Tariq said, "Hakimullah is alive and safe. The purpose of such reports is to create differences amongst Mujahideen but such people will never succeed in their designs."

With inputs from PTI