2 Taliban commanders die in armed clash

Sunday, August 9, 2009 at 12:10 am

WANA, Pakistan: Two influential Taliban commanders were killed in armed clash erupted in two groups of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) when key leaders gathered to choose successor of Taliban supremo Baitullah Mehsud.

Reportedly, a meeting of five key Taliban leaders was underway at an area between South and North Waziristan Agency when Taliban commanders disputed each other and exchanged hot words over the issue of choosing Baitullah Mehsud’s successor after his mysterious death.

As a result commander Wali Urrehman opened fire on Hakimullah Mehsud, the spokesman of TTP, leaving him dead on the spot. In the clash Wali Urrehman was also killed by his rivals, ARY NEWS correspondent reported.

Hakimullah, who controls fighters in the Orakzai, Kurram and Khyber tribal regions, is regarded as one of the leading contenders to replace Baitullah Mehsud.

The holding of meeting by Taliban leaders also proved true the reports that Taliban supremo Baitullah Mehsud has been killed in the US done attack among his wife, which the fellow commanders refuted.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that government has received reports that shooting broke out between two rivals for the leadership of the Pakistani Taliban.

“’The infighting was between Wali-ur-Rehman and Hakimullah Mehsud,” Malik told a private news TV. “We have information that one of them has been killed. Who was killed we will be able to say later after confirming.”

Earlier, Hakimullah Mehsud, while refuting the reports has said the Taliban will release a video of Baitullah Mehsud.

He said Baitullah Mehsud was alive and still holding the command of Taliban fighters. “He has been safe at an undisclosed place,” Hakimullah said.

He promised to release a recorded video of Mehsud within two to three days.