TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud. PHOTO: AFP
Funeral prayers were also offered.
He had succeeded his mentor, Baitullah Mehsud, who was killed in a US drone strike in August 2009. Hakimullah Mehsud, the young, ferocious and vengeful chief of TTP had survived at least two US drone strikes in the past. However, on November 1, his luck ran out.
Drone strike
Several intelligence, army and militant sources had confirmed that Hakimullah, who was in his thirties, had been killed in a US drone strike in North Waziristan Agency on November 1.
A Pakistani Taliban fighter told Reuters on Saturday that leader Hakimullah Mehsud's body was "damaged but recognisable" after the US drone strike, in the first eyewitness account of his death.
“A remotely piloted US aircraft fired two missiles at a house in the Dandi Darpakhel area, one kilometre north of Miramshah, the headquarters of North Waziristan, around 7:15pm,” a security official had told The Express Tribune on November 1. The account was corroborated by an official of the local political administration.
They had said six suspected militants were killed and two others injured in the strike. They had also confirmed that Hakeemullah was among the fatalities. Local tribesmen had identified the other victims as Hakimullah’s cousin Tariq Mehsud, his driver Abdullah Mehsud and his personal guards.
A militant source had said the drone fired two missiles on Hakimullah’s double-cabin SUV while it was driving into his newly constructed house. Two militants sitting in the front seat and three in the back seat were killed, while two guards sitting on the rear cargo bed of the 4X4 were critically wounded.
Govt response
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar, in his immediate reaction, had said the drone strike was aimed at sabotaging the peace talks with the Taliban.
“The drone attack took place at a time when the government was about to send negotiators to formally engage the Taliban in talks,” sources had quoted him as telling the two politico-religious leaders. Interior ministry officials were not available to confirm the phone calls.
Officially, the government had condemned the drone strike on November 1.
COMMENTS (22)
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Hakimullah Mahsud,Baitullah,Mullah umar and so many other so called Taliban leaders,who r they,from there they came and than later KILLED/disappeared no one really know except the real STAKE HOLDERS I.e pak army,pak govt(both have brought shame & humiliation to the people and our country) and their master US of A. Every blast,every bullet that has killed innocents is only connected with these 03 musketeers named above and what we hear afterwards is also told by same source so who knows all this Taliban fiasco is actually the proud co-production of these same musketeers to achieve their ultimate goal I.e completely wiping out this Muslim nation from the face of this world as a part of BIG PLAN.
This monster murdered thousands of pakistanis, why does our government want to sit down with him to have dinner and buy him a house in abbotabad? - the answer is simple our leaders are terrified and do not have the guts to confront this menace to society ...because many in our society are so Jahil that they actually support extremists. We were incapable of producing justice to our cricketers and had to rely on the international community to do what we could not. likewise we are incapable of providing justice to the thousands of murdered civilians and army jawaans and must rely on the international community
@Ishtiaq: Sir m not wid talibans but m against da way which american use to kill hakimula masud . I mean if dey are really concerned and want dialogues wid taliban den their iz no need 4r dis type of steps now bcz it create complications.
justice prevailed. Now the souls of thousands of innocent pakistanis will be in peace.
There was no drone attack during the funeral, which means that the drone attacks are very carefully planned and executed, to minimized collateral damage. Unlike TTP, who blow up mosques, markets, playgrounds, offices, schools, hospitals and funerals without any mercy or remorse. Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif should now stop their propaganda.
Now answer HIM what you did here!
He was a devil and is responsible for the killing of thousands of innocent Pakistanis. However, killing him at this point of time cast meaningful doubts regarding US sincerity in supporting peaceful dialogue process between Pakistani Government & the Taliban. Surprisingly, US took four long years in his detection & killing him mere a day before when Pakistani Government was resuming much awaited negotiation on 2 November 2013. The apprehension of his Deputy by US forces in Afghanistan in Oct 2013 is also a point in this regard. Wao, the US could negotiate with any Taliban or Al Qaeda but the same right is not given to any other country. Alas, if the US act indiscriminately against anyone who is involved in perpetuating heinous crimes & brutality against the mankind.
Good riddance.
The best time to talk is now. Assumption that they won't talk now is an assumption at best. Message to new chief is that talk now without pre conditions and end this war or you would soon be reunited with HUM.
imran khan's statement after the drone attack that killed pakistan's enemy # 1 was most ill timed!
if drones took care of our worst nemesis, when the army baulked and politicians were weak kneed, then its good service for pakistan.
playing "pragmatic" politics at the cost of colossal destruction and lives of common folks in pakistan is not the best policy
i guess its also time for shirin mazari to cool down her rhetoric a bit. her loathing and hatred for the USA should not translate into brazen support of TTP !
americans may not be our best friends either - BUT
TTP are no angels - for god's sake!
This will stall peace process, led by IK.
Those who live by the sword, die by the sword.
Thank You U S of A. Our cowards couldn't touch this Mercenary Chief, murderer of innocent 'namazis', women and children.
This was one intelligent move made by the ISI; they killed Hakeemullah Masood, and they used the CIA to eliminate him knowing they (the CIA) knew where Hakeemullah, their stooge was hold up. All the ISI had to do, was to fake genuine negotiations with the TTP at government level, knowing well, in the light of experience what was coming next. Pakistan Army was never putting up with a man wanted for the murder of thousands of Pakistanis, negotiations or no negotiations. Results come well when state machinery works in harmony. Good job.
Pakistan Gov. is trying to weaken TTP so that it can talk from a position of strength. Not a bad idea.
Burn the terririst nt burried
Good riddance; no one need to shed crocodile tears after this murderer.