DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan -- The Pakistani Taliban on Monday denied reports that their leader died from injuries sustained in a U.S. drone strike in mid-January, saying they would try to provide proof he is alive in the next few days.
The denial came a day after a state television report of Hakimullah Mehsud's death set off a flurry of speculation and prompted the government to announce it was investigating. The state TV report was apparently based on witnesses who said they had attended his funeral last week.
Meanwhile, three soldiers and 22 militants were killed in renewed clashes in Bajur tribal region that were triggered by an insurgent attack on a checkpoint, said local government chief Abdul Malik. The army deployed jets, helicopter gunships and heavy artillery in the region, which was declared free of militants after an operation in 2008. |