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Taliban admit commander's death Taliban admit commander's death
(10 minutes later)
The leader of the Pakistani Taliban, Baitullah Mehsud, is dead, two of his senior commanders have told the BBC.The leader of the Pakistani Taliban, Baitullah Mehsud, is dead, two of his senior commanders have told the BBC.
It is the first time that the militant group has acknowledged his death.It is the first time that the militant group has acknowledged his death.
The commanders, Hakimullah Mehsud and Waliur Rehman, said that he had died of injuries sustained in a US missile strike earlier this month. The commanders, Zulfiqar Mehsud (Hakimullah) and Waliur Rehman, confirmed that he had been killed in a US missile strike earlier this month.
Hakimullah has been named as successor to Baitullah Mehsud, who was Pakistan's most feared militant, accused of scores of suicide bombings and other attacks. Hakimullah Mehsud, who is believed to be in his late 20s, has been appointed as the new Taliban chief. Waliur Rehman said that he had his support.
Hakimullah Mehsud, who is believed to be in his late 20s, said Baitullah Mehsud had been critically wounded by the missile strike but died only on Sunday.
Senior Pakistani government officials have previously said they had information that Baitullah Mehsud was killed when a missile struck his father-in-law's compound on 5 August.
Waliur Rehman said that Hakimullah had his support as leader, and denied reports of differences between the two men.