Global General

Special

Newsmaker

Asia Pacific

America

Middle East

Europe

Africa

National security adviser: US believes Mehsud dead

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-08-09 21:48

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama's national security adviser says the United States thinks Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud is dead.

Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud attends a news conference in an unknown location in this undated file image from a video grab. [Agencies]

Related readings:  Militants say Pakistan's Mehsud alive  Pakistan officials: Taliban leader Mehsud dead  Pakistan probes reports of Taliban chief's death

Claims and counterclaims about Mehsud's fate have swirled since a CIA drone strike last Wednesday on his father-in-law's house in Pakistan's rugged, lawless tribal area.

President Barack Obama's national security adviser, James Jones, now says all indications are that Mehsud was killed - and he calls Mehsud 'a real thug.' Jones also says it appears there is now a fight within the top ranks of the remaining Pakistani Taliban organization.

Jones told "Fox News Sunday" that Mehsud's apparent death and the power struggle are good signs of progress in Pakistan.