Pakistani security forces have alleged that the new leader of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) insurgent group, Hakimullah Mehsud, died soon after the death of his brother and former commander, Press TV reported.
Citing intelligence sources, unofficial intermediaries said that the interview given to the BBC some days ago had actually been the voice of Hakimullah's brother and not that of the top militant commander, according to the September 1 issue of the mass-circulation English-language daily, the Dawn.
The report noted that the motive behind concealing the news of Hakimullah's death was to save the image of the outlawed Pakistani pro-Taliban faction by creating the impression that he is alive.
Pakistani news channels reported on August 8 that Hakimullah Mehsud was killed after shooting erupted between his camp and that of Wali-ur-Rehman during a shura (local council) to determine the successor to the slain Baitullah Mehsud.
Two days later, however, a man claiming to be Hakimullah Mehsud called a Reuters reporter declaring that he and Baitullah were still alive. Pakistani officials nonetheless conducted voice analysis and stated that intercepted phone calls led to the conclusion that Hakimullah was dead.
Pakistani intelligence officials believe that the younger brother of the 28-year-old commander returned from fighting in war-stricken Afghanistan in a bid to assume the elder brother's identity.
This would assist him to take command of the extremist Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan on a temporary basis until a decision is made by Taliban leader Mullah Omar regarding the appointment of a new chief.
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