Pakistani Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud killed in drone attack

PESHAWAR/KARACHI: Hakimullah Mehsud, the chief of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), was killed in a US drone strike in North Waziristan tribal agency on Friday, intelligence officials and Pakistani Taliban said. Intelligence officials said the Pakistani Taliban supremo was leaving from a meeting at a mosque in Dande Darpakhel area of North Waziristan when the drone targeted their vehicle. Pakistani Taliban said that funeral for the TTP chief will be held tomorrow afternoon at an undisclosed location in North Waziristan. Five militants, including Abdullah Bahar Mehsud and Tariq Mehsud, both key militant commanders and close aides of the TTP chief, were also killed with two others injured in the drone strike, multiple sources confirmed. The Taliban sources told Dawn.com that Hakimullah was shifted to a hospital after the drone strike but he succumbed to his injuries on the way. The locals said the drones had been carrying out low flights in various parts of North Waziristan since morning. The South Waziristan Taliban chief, Khan Said Sajna alias Khalid is likely to succeed Hakimullah Mehsud as TTP chief.   Dawn