Islamabad: As authorities in Islamabad asserted that the militants on the country's soil were in disarray, Pakistani Taliban on Saturday announced Hakimullah Mehsud as their new chief, days after reports claimed that he was killed in a duel with a rival claimant.
The announcement of new Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan chief, who led a campaign to impose the 'jiziya' tax on the minority Sikh community, was made by militant commander Maulvi Faqir Muhammad, who just days back had appointed himself as the successor to Baitullah Mehsud.
Though the Taliban declared appointment of a new chief, they stuck to their claim that Baitullah was still alive, but was "seriously ill and hiding".
Maulvi Faqir said a 42-member 'shura' or supreme council selected Hakimullah as the new leader during a meeting held in South Waziristan tribal region.
Taliban detain Baitullah's close relatives: report
Pakistan Taliban have detained and are interrogating four close relatives of the group's slain commander Baitullah Mehsud, on suspicion of tipping off authorities of his whereabouts.
Those being held include Baitullah's father-in-law Ikramuddin Mehsud, his son, one of his brothers and a nephew, Dawn news reported quoting unnamed security and intelligence officials.
Pakistani and US officials have expressed certainty that Baitullah, head of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, was killed in direct missile hit on his father-in-law's house, where he was hiding for the night on August 5.
But Baitullah's close aides have denied his death, claiming that their leader was seriously injured and was in hiding. At the same time, the group today announced appointment of Baitullah's cousin Hakimullah Mehsud as the new chief of the outfit.
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