For the third time, the chief of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan(TTP), or the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan, is reportedly dead. The first such report was insisted upon by the government of Pakistan to have taken place in the aftermath of his predecessor's death by drone during a power struggle. The second time came weeks ago when U.S. drones targeted him in North Waziristan. Both times evidence was provided that he was alive.
This third time is even murkier than the past two. There hasn't really been a clear indication of what lead to his alleged-burial today, although it is being suggested that he died as the result of wounds sustained in one drone strike or another.
I'd really avoid letting alone get their hopes up on this one.
Pakistani TV is reporting that Hakimullah Mehsud was already buried.(BBC) What strikes me are the reports that he was buried in the Orakzai tribal agency. Granted, this agency is a stronghold of his where he has long had roots- before Baitullah Mehsud's death, Hakimullah Mehsud was the Taliban chief of the Orakzai and Khyber agencies. However, I don't understand why he would have been buried there. While reports suggest that he was being treated for injuries there it would have meant he was taken from North Waziristan while injured all the way through Kurram into Orakzai agency. All indications are that he has been sheltered in North Waziristan. Indeed, the near-hits in mid-January confirmed that he had been receiving shelter in NWA- a stronghold of the Haqqani network.
Pakistan's state TV did not give sources for their latest report of his demise. Pakistani officials seem less eager to sacrifice their credibility as quickly as before.
A tribal elder contacted by the Associated Press confirmed the report, saying Hakimullah died at his in-laws' home where he was being treated in Orakzai agency. However, for reasons quite understandable, the tribal elder did not want his identity revealed- his location and loyalty is thus unknown for us consumers of news reports.
Take a wait and see approach on this one- AGAIN.