Islamabad, Feb 9 (PTI) Pakistani Taliban today confirmed that its chief Hakimullah Mehsud had died of injuries sustained in a US drone strike, ending weeks of speculation over his fate.
Taliban sources based in the Aurakzai tribal region told TV news channels that 28-year-old Mehsud was severely injured in a drone attack in Shaktoi area of North Waziristan Agency on January 14.
The sources claimed Mehsud died recently near Multan city in Punjab province while being taken to Karachi for treatment. His body was taken back to the tribal belt, they said.
However, there were also reports that Mehsud had died almost two weeks ago and was buried in his father-in-law's village in Aurakzai Agency.
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan spokesman Azam Tariq is yet to issue statement about Mehsud's death. Tariq has been insisting that Mehsud is alive and at an undisclosed location.