New Delhi: Pakistan media reports suggest that the newly elected Pakistani Taliban chief, Hakimullah Mehsud, is dead.
Pakistani authorities had said earlier that Hakimullah had died in a succession war with Wali-ur-Rehman a month ago. Pakistan media reports suggest that it was a lookalike brother of Hakimullah who gave an interview to the BBC a few days ago
Hakimullah Mehsud's brother was specially summoned from Afghanistan to head the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan on a temporary basis while a decision to appoint the new chief was taken by Taliban leader Mullah Omar.
Security forces believe the Taliban, in order to save their image, are giving the impression that he is alive.
Last month, news of Baitullah Mehsud's death dealt a big blow to the terror outfit's image.
Hakimullah Mehsud was appointed the leader of the Pakistani Taliban to succeed Baitullah Mehsud after the latter was killed August 5 in a drone attack.
The security forces say the Taliban declared Hakimullah Mehsud as their new chief to prove their top leadership is still alive.
The Pakistani Taliban, an alliance of a dozen militant groups, is blamed for a wave of bomb and suicide attacks across Pakistan, including one that killed former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in December 2007.
Sources say the security forces are finalising preparations to launch a massive offensive against the Taliban in South Waziristan.
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