Wed 10 Feb 2010 05:27:26 PM PST · by BIOCHEMKY · 18 replies · 843+ views
The Jakarta Post ^ | Thursday, February 11, 2010 | The Associated Press , Peshawar, Pakistan
Posted on 02/11/2010 12:12:44 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
A commander reported to have replaced Taliban leader Hakeemullah Mehsud has denied he has taken control of the terror group and states that Hakeemullah is still alive.
"Hakeemullah was neither killed nor I have been appointed acting emir (chief) of the Taliban," Maulvi Noor Jamal, a local commander in the Arakzai tribal agency who has been rumored to have succeeded Hakkemullah, told Reuters today. Maulvi Noor Jamal, who is also known as Maulvi Toofan, was first reported to have taken over for the Taliban by The News on Feb. 2.
Another Taliban leader, who was not identified, also told Reuters today that Hakeemullah is alive. Yesterday, Azam Tariq, the top Taliban spokesman, also denied the latest rumor that Hakemullah had been killed.
But a top Pakistani official today claimed that "credible information" exists that Hakeemullah was killed, but admitted he does not have proof.
"I have credible information that he's dead but I don't have any confirmation," Interior Minister Rehman Malik told Reuters.
The latest rumor that Hakeemullah died from wounds sustained in the Jan. 14 Predator strike in North Waziristan, which was carried out by unmanned US aircraft and killed 17 Taliban and al Qaeda fighters, is the fifth report of his death since 2008.
In January 2008, the Pakistani military claimed Hakeemullah was killed during an operation in South Waziristan, only to have the Taliban leader mock them at a press conference in Peshawar months later.
(Excerpt) Read more at longwarjournal.org ...
fyi
Just pinin’ for the fjords?
A large section of the Pakistani establishment is anti-US and pro-Taliban. In fact, they trained these animals.
So, it wouldn’t be surprising if there has been internal sabotage over this.
Pakistan Government says he is dirt-napping comfortably.
I was going to post the same thing! “He’s not pinin’, he’s passed on.”
No ripple in Taliban communication about a replacement struggle like there was over Baitullah. The Taliban is learning. Possibly, many Talibs haven't heard yet themselves. The op in S Waziristan scattered the Taliban and their landline links.
So, few telltale signals but it looks very promising that Hakimullah and Qari Hussain are both dead.
I can well imagine no one wants to claim command. I remember well the reluctance of Nguyen Cao Ky in 1965 and a new leader may get appointed against his will, in the same way.
Jaml is merely trying to keep from being Mirandronized.
I say we take him out anyway!
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Pakistani officials confirm Taliban chief is dead
What I just posted could be confusing...at post #12.
Yep, him and his cousins, uncles, brothers, etc. Maybe even his tailor and his accountant.
Uncomfortable being in the crosshairs?
I didn’t see him at mass on Sunday.
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