U.S. Official: 'Strong Indications' Pakistani Taliban Leader Baitullah Mehsud is Dead

[jefferson_dem]

Source: ABC News

U.S. Official: 'Strong Indications' Pakistani Taliban Leader Baitullah Mehsud is Dead
U.S., Pakistani Officials Awaiting DNA Tests for "100 Percent" Confirmation
By MARTHA RADDATZ and GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS
Aug. 6, 2009—

"There is strong indication" that Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud was killed in a U.S. drone strike Wednesday, a senior administration official told ABC News.

"Efforts are underway to determine for certain whether it was Mehsud, but there are hopes that it is him," the official said.

A Pakistani official confirmed the report but said they are awaiting 100 percent confirmation and DNA tests.

U.S. officials say they do not have physical evidence yet but there are "indicators" and they are hopeful about obtaining DNA tests. A CIA drone targeted the house of Mehsud's second father-in-law, Akramud Din, Wednesday.

Mehsud's network is based in the remote region of South Waziristan in northwest Pakistan, where the Pakistani army has little control and the Taliban, who cross the Pak-Afghan border freely, are considered to have a stronghold.

Mehsud is believed to have been behind the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, who had returned from exile and was expected to win Pakistan's presidential election. Bhutto's husband, Asif Zardari, was elected president in her stead.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/International/story?id=8270116&page=1

[tekisui]

1. Rumors have been all over the place on this one.

The Taliban set up a 'lock down' around the perimeter, indicating that he may have been wounded or killed.

[hmorehead]

2. what's the difference?

Sending a drone into Pakistan vs. an airliner into a high rise in the US? Actually, wouldn't the drone be an act of state supported terrorism?

[aquart]

3. Welcome to DU.

During the short time you're here, be sure to look around and read a lot.

[BOG PERSON]

4. I for one can't wait for the media wing of the State Dept

to parade his corpse on worldwide TV. This is a fatal blow against tyranny and for democracy.