Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Pakistani Taliban chief Mehsud may be dead: US
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Search
Search:
Pakistani Taliban chief Mehsud may be dead: US
AFP - Friday, August 7
WASHINGTON (AFP) - - US and Pakistani officials were investigating reports that Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud may have been killed after a US drone strike.
ADVERTISEMENT
If confirmed, the death of Mehsud would be a coup for both Islamabad and Washington, which has placed a five-million-dollar bounty on his head and branded him "a key Al-Qaeda facilitator" in Pakistan's tribal belt.
"There is some reason to believe Mehsud may be dead but it cannot be confirmed at this time for certain," a US official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.
In Peshawar, a Pakistani military official said authorities were trying to confirm the report, adding: "We are investigating."
Pakistani officials on Wednesday said Mehsud's wife was killed in an attack from an unmanned US aircraft, an asset the United States has regularly deployed to target Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants in Pakistan.
The US Central Intelligence Agency, with the tacit cooperation of Islamabad, has carried out dozens of attacks in Pakistan using unmanned Predator and Reaper drones over the past year, but declines to publicly discuss the strikes.
US and Pakistani officials named Mehsud as the main suspect in the 2007 assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, and he has been blamed for the deaths of hundreds of people in terror attacks over two years.
"If he is dead, it would be a huge success for the United States and Pakistan," the US official said. "He obviously was the leader directing the assassination of Benazir Bhutto and attacks on US soldiers in Afghanistan."
ABC television quoted unnamed US officials saying there was no physical evidence but there were "indicators" that Mehsud had been killed.
The US government was also monitoring Taliban pronouncements for possible clues.
Mehsud has been the target of an intense manhunt for months and has reportedly narrowly escaped previous attacks. On Sunday, Pakistan offered a 615,000-dollar reward for information leading to Mehsud's capture, dead or alive.
The burly Al-Qaeda-linked warlord had sought to extend the reach of the Taliban from his fiefdom in the treacherous peaks of South Waziristan.
After an early education from a religious school in Miranshah in North Waziristan, Mehsud traveled to Afghanistan in the mid 1990s to fight alongside the Taliban movement as they battled for control of the war-torn country.
Upon his return, the Taliban in Pakistan were commanded by one-legged former Guantanamo Bay prisoner Abdullah Mehsud, who was killed when troops raided his hideout in southwestern Baluchistan province in July 2007.
Although relatively unknown at the time, Baitullah Mehsud -- now in his late 30s -- swiftly took his place and that same year, he formed an umbrella organization of tribal militants named Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
Despite a string of peace deals with the government, Mehsud set up training camps for recruits, and spread his influence into the districts of North Waziristan and Bajaur, as well as the nearby cities of Tank and Dera Ismail Khan.
Taliban influence also expanded from the long-troubled tribal belt stringing Afghanistan to the picturesque Swat valley to the northwest, which had been a peaceful holiday spot popular with foreigners and Pakistanis.
A wave of attacks linked to Islamist militants has killed 1,995 people around Pakistan since government forces fought gunmen holed up in the radical Islamabad Red Mosque in July 2007, sparking militant retaliation.
The government has blamed nearly 80 percent of the attacks on the Taliban in Pakistan.
Infuriated after the Swat Taliban advanced to within 100 kilometers (60 miles) of Islamabad in early April, the Pakistani military launched an offensive to dislodge militants from three northwest districts.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
Pakistan: Anti-Christian riots prompt law reviewAP - Friday, August 7
Ponting has no fears about jeersAFP - Friday, August 7
AP NewsAlertAP - Friday, August 7
ETimor opposition says accused ministers must goAFP - Friday, August 7
Ferry sinks off Tonga; dozens missing, feared deadAP - Friday, August 7
Enlarge Photo
Pakistani Taliban chief Mehsud may be dead: US
Related Photos
Slideshow Full Photo Coverage: War On Terror
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
Viewed
Scientists decode HIV genome structure: study
BNP Paribas bonuses spark anger in France
Cupcakes for reporter on Obama's birthday
New York chapel offers gay marriage service
Swine flu toll up sharply in Latin America
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Friday, 7 August 2009 Thousands turn out for funeral of last WWI trench soldier
Hack attack silences Twitter, Facebook sees delays
Afghan police reduce wedding blast death toll to five
New Tamil Tiger head arrested: Sri Lanka military
| International
|
Scientists decode HIV genome structure: study
Canadian charged in US in Internet gambling case
Car bomb kills 5 in disputed city in northern Iraq
Drug killings soar as Obama heads to Mexico summit
| International
|
"The Sims" creator eyes the world beyond games
China probes Internet bootcamp after teen dies
Pro-Mousavi Iranians chant death to the dictator
| International
|
Iraq denies blocking food to Iranian exile camp
Squabbling Palestinian movement gets Saudi scolding
| International
|
French government cracks whip at banks over bonuses
| International
|
Sprint plans to sell AM-OLED phones from Samsung
Gambian journalists jailed for sedition: source
| International
|
Feds begin immigration detention makeover
Rapid tests often wrong about swine flu
Hack attack silences Twitter, Facebook sees delays
| Technology
|
Grand jury clears Philly officers in taped beating
Be careful what you post online, career counselors warn
| Technology
|
GOP Sen. Voinovich to support Sotomayor for court
Correction: Mexico-US Arms Trafficking story
Sprint plans to sell AM-OLED phones from Samsung
| Technology
|
Former Fla. judge linked to stripper pleads guilty
Alaska mom sentenced for letting son, 7, drive
FTC issues braced to fight oil price manipulation
Tsingtao Brewery first half profit up 68%
Toyota Prius top-selling car in Japan for 3 months
Violent Ssangyong Motor strike comes to an end
Pakistan's forex reserves fall to $11.72 bln
S.Korea firms to buy A$125 mln stake in Australia coal mine
Pakistani rupee firms on IMF hopes; stocks edge down
New Bollywood film hopes to emulate 'Slumdog' success
Ssangyong Motor union agrees to end strike
India investment to grow despite slowdown
Posh Spice, Katy Perry to fill in on 'Idol'
| Entertainment
|
Japanese electronics maker Pioneer cuts losses
Julie & Julia blends the old with the new
| Entertainment
|
Aerosmith singer Tyler hurt in fall from stage
| Entertainment
|
Just A Minute With: Paul Giamatti portraying himself
| Entertainment
|
Sizemore arrested for domestic violence
| Entertainment
|
Aerosmith's Tyler hurt head, shoulder neck in fall
Victoria Beckham will be guest judge on `Idol'
Iraq cabinet approves smoking curbs plan
By the time we got to Woodstock: 40 years later
| Entertainment
|
Rivaled by the Web, US mail service faces tough times
Filmmaker Burns pays visit to Acadia National Park
Star of 'McHale's Navy' honored at RI festival
Ohio attack victim surprised with Kid Rock check
Model Kurkova's newest accessory: a baby bump
New Michael Jackson songs on missing hard drives
Pakistani Taliban chief Mehsud may be dead: US
Tensions high a year after Georgia war
| International
|
Britain set to free great train robber Biggs
US-TECH Summary
Russia-Georgia war still felt one year on: Amnesty
ECB, Bank of England hold interest rates steady
Security on agenda at North America summit
| International
|
Pro-Mousavi Iranians chant "death to the dictator"
Thousands turn out for funeral of last WWI trench soldier
'Large-scale Russian invasion' started war: Georgia
Pakistan says Taliban chief is likely dead
| International
|
GM to launch plug-in hybrid SUV in 2011
Pacific hurricane strengthens to Category Four storm
Car bomb kills five, wounds 30 in northern Iraq
'The weak get beat': Putin marks 10 years in power
New Tamil Tiger head held in Sri Lanka
| International
|
Suspected ETA killer 'arrested in Spain'
Four U.S. troops killed in southern Afghanistan
| International
|
Iraqi Cabinet approves anti-smoking law
Troubled broadcaster ITV offloads Friends Reunited
Twitter, Facebook hit by cyber attacks
Be careful what you post online, career counselors warn
Japan to use deep-sea probes to search for minerals
U.S. wants Israel to freeze settlement for year: report
| International
|
Number of missing rises to 62 in Tonga ferry sinking
| International
|
Pakistan: Anti-Christian riots prompt law review
Ponting has no fears about jeers
Hacker attacks silence Twitter, slow Facebook
| Technology
|
AP NewsAlert
ETimor opposition says accused ministers must go
Ferry sinks off Tonga; dozens missing, feared dead
China fails to win minorities' trust: Dalai Lama
Bill Clinton briefed W.House on N.Korea -spokesman
Small boats threaten maritime security: US Coast Guard
U.S. Senate confirms Sotomayor for Supreme Court
Pakistan says Indian evidence on militant leader weak
Pregnant Briton jailed in Laos set to go home
U.S. overhaul seeks civil migrant detention system
Indian court sentences 3 to death for 2003 bombing
Illinois panel: University trustees should resign
Sculpture marks race riots in Lincoln's hometown
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 693
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,331
US attorney in Alexandria, Va., nominated
Pa. shooter had company in feelings of isolation
Feds: Man posed as Oscar-winner in investment scam
Hollywood director in real-life rescue on Hudson
Spirit Awards for indie film switch to nighttime
Japan's Sanyo to boost solar panel output
Bank of China to buy high-speed rail stake
Japan Airlines announces billion-dollar loss in Q1
AirAsia defers delivery of eight Airbus A320s
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Nissan's 'Leaf' to challenge Toyota's Prius
MTV dancing with Robert Hoffman
India's dhow sailors fear pirates who rule high seas
S.Korea bond traders see no rate change on Tue
S.Korean bonds flat ahead of auction, rate vote
Barbra Streisand playing club show in New York
Rihanna, Kanye and Jay-Z to open new Jay Leno show
| Entertainment
|
Hark! Bob Dylan Christmas album coming
Seoul shares open lower;caution on job data
Brat Pack director John Hughes dies of heart attack
| Entertainment
|
Final season of "Monk"may solve some mysteries
Toyota's Prius still Japan's top selling car
Posh Spice, Katy Perry to fill in on Idol
| Entertainment
|
Malaysia Airlines returns to profit in second quarter
Warhol's portrait of Michael Jackson goes on show pre-sale
Fox aborts controversial Family Guy episode
| Entertainment
|
Aerosmith singer breaks shoulder in stage mishap
Spirit Awards ditching afternoon ceremony on beach
Hark! Bob Dylan Christmas album coming
| Entertainment
|
Highlights from John Hughes' film career
MTV dancing with Robert Hoffman
| Entertainment
|
Barbra Streisand playing club show in New York
| Entertainment
|
TV dealmaking season wraps up; prices, volume down
| Entertainment
|
Final season of Monkmay solve some mysteries
| Entertainment
|
Warhol's portrait of Michael Jackson goes on show pre-sale
| Entertainment
|
Police: 37 die in Iraq as bombs target Shiites
Fresh tension marks anniversary of Georgia-Russia war
Pakistan says Taliban chief is probably dead
| International
|
State-rescued RBS reports surge in bad debts
NATO seeks more troops for Afghanistan; 8 die
| International
|
'Information' Pakistan Taliban chief dead: minister
German trade surplus soars in June
US deficit climbs to 1.3 trillion dollars
Bombs targeting Shi'ite Muslims kill 36 in Iraq
| International
|
Portugal to take in two Syrians from Guantanamo
| International
|
US Senate votes to save 'Cash for Clunkers'
Obama launches economic counter-attack
Fatah rows cast cruel light on Palestinian split
| International
|
Indonesia police in shootout with suspected militants
| International
|
Myanmar arrests 15 dissidents on bomb charges
| International
|
Record number of organic farmers expected in Mass.
NC man reels in 1,062-pound marlin
Malaysia denies Internet filter will curb dissent
| Technology
|
Husband denies alcoholism in NY wrong-way crash
Actors remember filmmaker Hughes as influential
It's no joke: Recession turns folks into comedians
Sotomayor's swearing in to court set for Saturday
OCD national meeting draws past, present sufferers
Clinton seeks new US-S.Africa start in relations
'Cash-for-clunkers' program gets $2B refill
Clinton wants SAfrica to press Zimbabwe reform
Japan's Nikkei hits new 10-month high
China's July auto sales up 64 percent
China shares fall on credit contraction fears
Toyota not chasing 15 percent global market share
Bridgestone tumbles into red in first half of year
'80s teen flick director John Hughes dies in NYC
Seoul shares end 0.7 pct higher; banks up =2
China airport head executed for graft: report
Seoul shares end 0.7 pct higher; banks up
SKorea gets lead on rivals in India with trade pact
Pakistani c.bank buys 28.7 bln rupees of T-bills
Madonna cancels Slovenia gig, media cite sales
| Entertainment
|
Tribe files lawsuit against Freeport in Indonesia
Madonna cancels Slovenia gig, media cite sales
Dubai turns down starring role in 'Sex and the City'
Actors remember filmmaker Hughes as influential
Fabled Timbuktu bent on wooing tourists
English Anglicans breathe life into French chapels
Jay-Z, Rihanna, West to kick off Leno's new show
Abdul says she's receiving `many wonderful' offers
Fox aborts controversial "Family Guy" episode
Prince Charles Didn't Believe In Monarchy When Younger
Prince Harry Guzzles On $670 Cocktail During Rowdy Night Out
Duchess Of Cornwall Camilla Given A Necklace As Protection Against Vampire Bites
Four Honor Guards Stand 9 Hours During 12-Mile Funeral Procession Of Philippine Ex-President
Ohio Road Gets Bubble Bath
California Woman Wins Almost $2 Million On Way To Work
Late Actor Heath Ledger's Anti-Whaling Music Video Finally Released
Brad Pitt Says Smoking Pot Turned Him Into A "Doughnut"
Miley Cyrus' Stalker Busted Yet Again
Boston Window Washers Narrowly Escape Death After Dangling From 37th Floor
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights