Posted on 02/10/2010 5:27:26 PM PST by BIOCHEMKY
The Pakistani government has confirmed that the country's Taliban leader died of injuries sustained in a U.S. drone strike in mid-January, setting the stage for a potential succession struggle that could further weaken the group.
But analysts caution that Hakimullah Mehsud's death would not deal the al-Qaida-linked militants a knockout blow nor bring an end to attacks thathave killed hundreds of people in the past few months. A suicide bomber attacked a vehicle carrying tribal police near Pakistan's volatile border with Afghanistan on Wednesday, killing 17 people.
The Pakistani Taliban continue to deny Mehsud's death, but the group used the same tactic when his predecessor as killed by a U.S. missile less than six months ago, only admitting his demise weeks later to give the group time to choose a successor. Analysts believe the same dynamic could be at work no.
"There will be some sort of a struggle for power for at least some time and that is why they are hiding his death," retired general and military analyst Talat Masood said. "It will take some time for them to recover in the sense of having proper leadership."
The Pakistani government said more than a week ago that it was investigating reports of Mehsud's death following a Jan. 14 drone strike that targeted him in the South Waziristan tribal area. But Wednesday was the first time officials confirmed that they believe the militant leader is dead.
(Excerpt) Read more at thejakartapost.com ...
Those drones are beginning to pay off!
Thanks for t he ping.
Some lib on Bill OReilly said drones are not helpful because we are killing intelligence, and we need these people alive to get their plans.
BOR didn’t say that we weren’t killing them with drones before 911, and we know how that worked out.
Was his name Muhammad Murtha ?
I wonder when we’ll get to see the vid.?
You all know why this story isn’t getting more play on major news networks. It would redeem Bush for going into Afghanistan to begin with.
“Progressives” (lying, cheating, stealing, treasonous, traitors that they are) are MOST CERTAINLY absolute worthless pieces of SH$T!
Well done, US Military!
I sure hope that obummer/holder read him his miranda rights!
Impossible — there’s always a new Taliban chief before rigor mortis sets in to the previous one. It’s like playing whack-a-mole.
He ain’t really dead - he’s in Cuba.
Is he merely dead?
Or really most sincerely dead?
droned 2 da max! lool
Awesomeness. Awesome awesomeness
I have heard he is again cooperating and providing information while repudiating the Mullah who talked him into this. Apparently his family has been encouraging his cooperation because of our legal approach.
I have been hearing news reports that we are going to have a major offensive shortly in the mountains of Afghanistan. This is earlier than the usual fighting season. Anyone have additional information? Perhaps we want to hit them while they are disorganized?
Obama had nothing to do with Mehsud’s death. The US Military did though some of our leaders are wussies.
Credit the intell guys who spotted this POS and the drone crews who took him out (and anyone around him). Some of the drone explosion films I’ve seen make you say “That had to hurt”.
Glad to see that more jihadists/Taliban are vying for the leadership spots. More targets. Hope they take out life insurance because their widows will be collecting it very soon, very soon.
Taliban deny Hakeemullah is dead ( Pakistan Government says He is....???)
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