TTP Chief warns Pakistan of dire consequences over drone attacks, denies his death

Amid rumors of the death of banned Tehreek-i-Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud in the suspected US drone strike in Shaktoi area of South Wasiristan Agency on Thursday, the local Taliban has send an audio tape believed to be of Hakimuallh Mehsud claiming he is alive.

Though the exact timing of the recording is not known, the recording in the voice of Hakimullah Mehsud as claimed by the Taliban has threatened to launch counter attacks against the government in retaliation to the drone strike.

In the one-minute 12 second Pashto language audio recording Hakimullah says that media is also a partner in this war and the Pakistani government is using the media as a propaganda tool against Taliban.

He says the enemy is using the media to establish that they had killed Hakimullah and had taken over South Wasiristan after completing the operation but they could not succeed in it.

“Sometimes they (the government) launch propaganda about my martyrdom through the media and sometimes they say that the operation has been completed in South Waziristan. This can never happen,” Mehsud said.

The voice said “I want to tell the people of Pakistan that the drone strikes in Pakistan are against the sovereignty and freedom of the country and detrimental to its security.

From now onwards whatever step the Pakistani Taliban will be taking, the rulers of Pakistan will be responsible for it.”

On Thursday there were reports of his killing in the the northwest tribal belt killing at least 15 militants, with some security officials saying Mehsud was among the dead.
However, the spokesman of the TTP Azam Tariq denied the killing of Hakimullah Mehsud whereas on Friday there were reports of another drone attack on his compound and also the Taliban confirmed that he was injured.

Though the audio claims that he is alive and escaped the drone attack, however it could not be confirmed if the audio whether the message released Friday was recorded before or after Thursday's strike

Meanwhile in two drone attacks on Friday in North Waziristan at least eight people have been killed.

The first attack took place in Zanini village near the town of Mir Ali, about 30 kilometres east of Miranshah, the main town of restive North Waziristan tribal district, destroying a militant compound and killing five people.

"US drones fired four missiles at a militant compound and according to initial information at least five militants have been killed," security officials said, on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, three people were killed in a second drone strike in Mirkhwanai area along the borders of South and North Waziristan.

Two intelligence officials in the area and a local administrative official also confirmed the attack and the toll.

- Asian Tribune -