The militant commander named by the Pakistani Taliban as its new leader is as ruthless as his predecessor, taking credit for several bloody attacks, and could order more in the coming weeks to prove the terror network is still a force to be reckoned with, AP reported.
While the appointment of 28-year-old Hakimullah Mehsud suggests the Taliban is regrouping after the reported killing of its ex-chief Baitullah Mehsud in a CIA missile strike Aug. 5, questions remain as to whether it will be able to unite around him, an analyst says.
Also unclear is the direction the movement will take under new leadership. Baitullah was known for ordering suicide strikes against Pakistani civilian, government and security targets, often in spectacular fashion in major cities far from border areas.
Hakimullah may decide to direct some or all of his forces across the border in Afghanistan like other jihadi commanders in the northwest, joining insurgents there in the fight against U.S. and NATO forces as they try to stabilize the country eight years after the invasion.
Two close aides to another commander, Maulvi Faqir Mohammad, told The Associated Press on Saturday a 42-member Taliban council, or shura, had appointed Hakimullah new leader. Like other members of the network, he insisted Baitullah was alive but sick, hence the need for a new chief. U.S. and Pakistani officials are almost certain he is dead.
"I do confirm that a shura held Friday ... has elected Hakimullah Mehsud (as) the new chief of the Taliban," said one of the aides, Bakht Zada, adding it was an unanimous decision. "Now all these talks of differences should end. There have not been any differences ever."
Pakistan's Taliban is a loose alliance of disparate groups and tribal factions that Baitullah Mehsud had managed to unify. It is believed to have up to 25,000 fighters based in the lawless northwestern tribal areas.
The selection of Hakimullah could shore up an organization following the loss of its leader, said Kamran Bokhari, director of Middle East analysis with Stratfor, a global intelligence company.
"It's an attempt to stabilize the group after the initial reports of infighting," Bokhari said, noting the loss of Baitullah would have been "a massive blow to the organization."
As military chief of Baitullah's Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or Pakistani Taliban Movement, Hakimullah commanded three tribal regions and has a reputation as Baitullah's most ruthless deputy. He was considered one of the top contenders to take over. He first appeared in public to journalists in November 2008, when he offered to take reporters on a ride in a U.S. Humvee taken from a supply truck heading to Afghanistan.
Authorities say he was behind threats to foreign embassies in Islamabad, and there was a 10 million rupee ($120,000) bounty on his head.
Hakimullah claimed responsibility for the June 9 bombing of the Pearl Continental hotel in the northwestern city of Peshawar, and the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore earlier this year.
He also threatened suicide bombings in Pakistani cities in retaliation for a recent army offensive in the Swat Valley, which has been winding down in recent weeks.
While it is unclear whether he will be able to maintain unity, he was likely chosen for his operational capabilities, said Bokhari, adding a revival of suicide bombings could be expected.
More attacks would demonstrate that the Pakistani Taliban was intact and able to operate despite recent setbacks, he said. "I think that the decision of the shura to appoint this particular individual is based on that consideration."
Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the government had received intelligence reports about Hakimullah's appointment "as the chief terrorist" but there was no official confirmation.
Another close Mohammad aide, Sher Zamin, also confirmed that Hakimullah had been elected as the new Taliban chief.