Taliban's death jeopardise peace talks

Pakistan's Foreign Affairs minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, described a drone strike that killed Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud as the death of all peace efforts.

The US State Department replied that whilst the US shared strategic interest in ending extremist violence; talks with the Taliban were an internal matter for Pakistan. The attack came on the eve of a Pakistani delegation flying to North Waziristan to meet Mehsud. The death of Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud is still not confirmed.

The Pakistani Foreign Affairs Minister said the attack puts in the balance every aspect of Pakistan's co-operation with America. Meanwhile, Pakistan's Information Minister said "The US tried to attack the peace talks with this drone but we will not let them fail."

A senior Taliban official told news agencies that Mehsud was killed with four others, including two of his bodyguards. Four missiles struck the vehicles travelling in the north-western region of North Waziristan. Mehsud's funeral is claimed to have taken place at an unknown location.

Pakistani Taliban spokesman, Azam Tariq, swore that every drop of Hakimullah's blood would turn into a suicide bomber. "America and their friends shouldn't be happy because we will take revenge for our martyr's blood," Tariq said.

Regional commander Khan Said Sajna has been elected to fill the vacation created by Mehsud's killing. However these reports remain unconfirmed.