Tweet
Reports this morning state that a bomb from a US drone killed Mehsud a couple of days ago. Earlier reports were that only his second wife (his favorite) was killed in the strike.
There have been several people on Apolyton who have argued against US drone strikes in Pakistan, because it will inflame sentiment against the US. I'm on the fence on this policy, but haven't heard those arguing against the policy provide a full accounting of the positives of such drone strikes, such as killing people like Mehsud.
Is this a good time to reevaluate the policy?
Here's the lede...
There have been several people on Apolyton who have argued against US drone strikes in Pakistan, because it will inflame sentiment against the US. I'm on the fence on this policy, but haven't heard those arguing against the policy provide a full accounting of the positives of such drone strikes, such as killing people like Mehsud.
Is this a good time to reevaluate the policy?
Here's the lede...
By PETER SPIEGEL and JAY SOLOMON
WASHINGTON – The leader of the Pakistani Taliban was killed in a drone strike by U.S. forces, Pakistani officials and one of the man's aides said.
Pakistani news accounts previously reported that the air strike, carried out early Wednesday morning, had killed one of the wives of the militant leader, Baitullah Mehsud. But Pakistani officials said Friday Mr. Mehsud is dead and that the Taliban had cordoned off the area, stopping anyone from getting near the site.
"I confirm that Baitullah Mehsud and his wife died in the American missile attack in South Waziristan,'' Taliban commander Kafayat Ullah told the Associated Press by telephone. He wouldn't give any further details.
Reports of Mr. Mehsud's death have circulated in the past, but a U.S. defense official said Pakistani officials appeared to be more certain this time that Mr. Mehsud had been killed. A U.S. counterterrorism official said there are "strong indications" that Mehsud was killed.
Earlier
Baitullah Mehsud had emerged as one of the most wanted Islamist extremists in Pakistan's lawless western tribal regions, leading a large army of militants that have fought U.S. and Pakistani forces on both sides of the Afghan-Pakistani border.
Pakistani officials accused Mr. Mehsud of being behind a number of high-profile terrorist attacks, including the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 2007.
WASHINGTON – The leader of the Pakistani Taliban was killed in a drone strike by U.S. forces, Pakistani officials and one of the man's aides said.
Pakistani news accounts previously reported that the air strike, carried out early Wednesday morning, had killed one of the wives of the militant leader, Baitullah Mehsud. But Pakistani officials said Friday Mr. Mehsud is dead and that the Taliban had cordoned off the area, stopping anyone from getting near the site.
"I confirm that Baitullah Mehsud and his wife died in the American missile attack in South Waziristan,'' Taliban commander Kafayat Ullah told the Associated Press by telephone. He wouldn't give any further details.
Reports of Mr. Mehsud's death have circulated in the past, but a U.S. defense official said Pakistani officials appeared to be more certain this time that Mr. Mehsud had been killed. A U.S. counterterrorism official said there are "strong indications" that Mehsud was killed.
Earlier
Baitullah Mehsud had emerged as one of the most wanted Islamist extremists in Pakistan's lawless western tribal regions, leading a large army of militants that have fought U.S. and Pakistani forces on both sides of the Afghan-Pakistani border.
Pakistani officials accused Mr. Mehsud of being behind a number of high-profile terrorist attacks, including the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 2007.
Comment