Pakistani officials confirm Taliban chief is dead

Source: Associated Press

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) -- The Pakistani government confirmed for the first time Wednesday that the country's Taliban leader has 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 that have 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 was 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 now.

"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."

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_PAKISTAN?SITE=VTBUR&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

2958? There's always another to take his place. Big effing deal.

use the money for homeowners in trouble and health care for all.

problem with killing an enemy, my problem is how many innocent civilians got killed also

Or chiefs. There may be more than one job seeker, but after the dust settles, more of the same.

:hi:

now I think thats a job I wouldn't want. You don't have a long life expentancy unless your osama bin laden

:hi: