US missile attack kills Taliban chief in Pakistan

A US missile strike in Pakistan has killed Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud. The news was confirmed by an aid to Mehsud, who talked to the Associated Press by telephone. He said the attack also killed one of Mehsud's wives.

The Pakistan Foreign Minister and intelligence officials have confirmed the death, however the US government said they await further evidence before confirming Mehsud was indeed killed in the attack.

The 37-year old was a powerful Taliban leader in Waziristan. On Wednesday, an unmanned US drone fired at a farm house and killed several people including one of Mehsud's wives. Earlier reports from people at the scene denied that Mehsud was in the house when it was hit.

In North West Frontier Province, many are happy, but there's no public celebrations in the streets. Many live in fear of the Taliban and are extremely cautious about expressing their views, including this youth who spoke to FSRN on the condition of anonymity.

"I do not know what to say about his death. I am worried and afraid if I would say anything bad about him than I am afraid of one party and if I say good about him than I am afraid of other group. I am not concerned with his death but only with my earning and business."

Taliban violence and clashes with the government have displaced some three million people in Pakistan. Ishtiaq Khan lectures at a university in Islamabad and works for a local NGO. But he's originally from South Waziristan, the home town of Baitullah Mehsud. Kahn left his home town two years ago due to growing militancy in the area.

“The killing of Baitullah Mehsud to the Taliban in Pakistan but it is yet to be seen what is the reaction of the Taliban because it can prove to be very counterproductive…”

There's also concern, says Khan, that a new Taliban leader could be worse.

“…maybe a new leader emerges with a new strategy and a new modus operandi who can avenge the death of Baitullah Mehsud, only time will tell that because Baitullah proved to be a better leader than the previous leaders.”

Many Taliban militants revered Mehsud because he considered himself a common man, rather than a commander. He was also known to distribute money to poor local villagers. Mehsud led a number of militant networks that Pakistani and US government officials believe were behind suicide bombings that killed hundreds of civilians and security personnel. Mehsud was also on the US most wanted list, with the State Department offering a $5 million reward for information leading to his location, arrest or conviction.