Baitullah’s death to split TTP, new leader likely today

[Naveed Yaseen]

By Mazhar Tufail

ISLAMABAD: The reported death of dreaded militant commander Baitullah Mehsud in a US drone attack will deal a major blow to the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as its division in splinter groups seems imminent.

ìA meeting of the TTP Shura (council) is being held today (Friday) to appoint the new chief of the outfit with Hakimullah Mehsud, Asmatullah Mehsud, Mufti Waliur Rehman and Maulvi Faqir Muhammad being tipped as possible candidates for the top position. There are few chances of the TTP remaining united after the death of Baitullah,î a source in the militant group told The News over telephone from an undisclosed location wishing anonymity.

The source, with leaning towards Mufti Waliur Rehman group, said the outlawed TTP, which revolted against the Pakistan government, now was now facing a revolt within itself and currently its commanders were facing the biggest problem of maintaining unity in their rank and file. He claimed that the Taliban movement of Afghanistan also wanted the man of its choice appointed as the head of the TTP.

The source said 28-year-old Hakimullah Mehsud, a cousin of Baitullah, had been responsible for provision of logistics for attacks on the US and Nato troops in Afghanistan as well as suicide bombings inside Pakistan.

He said Hakimullah, however, already faces bitter opposition within the outfit.

“Maulvi Faqir Muhammad, who has been serving as deputy of the slain TTP chief, and his supporters have stepped up their efforts for his appointment as the head of the outfit,î said Azmatullah, a local commander of the TTP, while talking to The News via telephone.

ìStopping divisions in the TTP is our top most concern at the moment,î he said.

Pakistanís most wanted militant commander, Baitullah Mehsud, was reportedly killed, along with his wife and bodyguards, in a missile attack by an unmanned US aircraft on Wednesday.

The sources said Baitullah was buried late on Wednesday night in South Waziristanís Nargasi village. The militants cordoned off the area immediately after the deadly attack and nobody was allowed to enter or leave the Nargasi village.

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