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Pakistan Army Investigates Report Mehsud is Dead, Taliban Denies Report

   A  TV report says Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud died from
   injuries sustained in a U.S. drone missile strike in mid-January

   VOA News 31 January 2010
   In  this photo taken Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, new Pakistani Taliban chief
   Hakimullah Mehsud, left, is seen with his comrade Waliur Rehman during
   his  meeting  with  media in Sararogha of South Waziristan tribal area
   along the Afghanistan border.

Photo: AP

   In  this photo taken Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, new Pakistani Taliban chief
   Hakimullah Mehsud, left, is seen with his comrade Waliur Rehman during
   his  meeting  with  media in Sararogha of South Waziristan tribal area
   along the Afghanistan border.

   The  Pakistani  army  said  Sunday  it  is  investigating reports that
   Pakistani   Taliban   leader  Hakimullah  Mehsud  died  from  injuries
   sustained in a U.S. drone missile strike in mid-January.
   The   army's   announcement  followed  a  report  on  Pakistani  state
   television that Mehsud had died and has been buried.
   Conflicting  reports  about the militant leader's death first surfaced
   after the January bombing in northwest Pakistan that killed at least a
   dozen militants.
   The Taliban released two audio tapes after the bombing as proof Mehsud
   survived the attack.
   Some reports say Mehsud may have been killed in another drone attack a
   few days later.
   A  Taliban  spokesman  dismissed the reports of Mehsud's death Sunday.
   Azam Tariq told the French News Agency Mehsud is "alive and safe."  He
   said   media  stories  about  Mehsud's  death  are  meant  "to  create
   differences among Taliban ranks."
   Tariq  said  the  Taliban has provided proof that Mehsud is alive, and
   that people who say he is dead "should provide proof."

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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