Pakistan Taliban head talks to reporters

[maddezmom]

Source: AP

Pakistan Taliban head talks to reporters
By ISHTIAQ MAHSUD (AP) – 42 minutes ago

SARAROGHA, Pakistan — The Pakistani Taliban's new leader met with reporters in the country's tribal areas for the first time since winning control of the militants and vowed to retaliate against the U.S. and Pakistan for drone attacks along the Afghan border.

The appearance by Hakimullah Mehsud ended any speculation that he was killed in a leadership battle within the militant group sparked by the August slaying of his predecessor Baitullah Mehsud in a missile strike.

Mehsud, flanked by other Taliban commanders in a show of unity, spoke to a small group of reporters Sunday on condition the interview only be published Monday.

Mehsud said his group would avenge the killing of Baitullah Mehsud and strike back at Pakistan and the U.S. for the increasing number of drone attacks in the tribal areas along the border with Afghanistan.



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