Taliban chief is still alive, claims aide
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The man suspected of masterminding the murder of Pakistan's former prime minister Benazir Bhutto may still be alive, despite claims he had been killed in a US missile attack last week.
The US government had said it was "increasingly confident" that Baitullah Mehsud, the leader of the Pakistan Taliban, had been killed in South Waziristan last Wednesday after his death was confirmed by a close aide.
But yesterday, Hakimullah Mehsud, a fellow commander and close associate of the Taliban leader, dismissed the claims as "ridiculous".
However, some analysts believe the contradictory claims may be part of the battle for the Taliban leadership and an attempt to delay a decision in naming an heir. Despite the counter-claims, neither side has so far produced any hard evidence either way. Last year, a senior Pakistani intelligence official said Mehsud had died from kidney failure, only for him to emerge alive and well days later.
Mehsud is Pakistan's most wanted man and is believed to command more than 20,000 pro-Taliban militants.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments