Leader of Pakistan Taliban Killed
by Raj Purohit | August 7th, 2009 | |
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A very important development in Pakistan: Beitullah Mehsud is dead. The leader of the Pakistani Taliban was killed by a US strike drone. Mehsud was the driving force of a movement that was threatening the very fabric of Pakistani society and there is no doubt that the US and Pakistani government will be very happy that they successfully targeted him. There is still much work to be done to bring peace and security to Pakistan but this is a significant moment. The question for the morning is whether the US and Pakistani governments can build on recent military victories and win the peace via the hearts and minds of ordinary Pakistanis….in particular those in the tribal areas.
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A major development indeed. The question is whether this may actually make the Pakistani Taliban a more dangerous force, as they drift farther from the path of a quasi-viable, if violent, opposition movement, and towards that of a purely Qaeda inspired terror group.
Comment on August 7, 2009 @ 7:09 am
Great news for Pakistan and USA this will unite their interests further.
Hope this brings long term peace to the area.
The greatest murderer is dead.
Comment on August 7, 2009 @ 3:22 pm
The situation is quite murky, but it looks as though Mehsud’s death may have sparked a succession battle that killed another top Taliban leader: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8192570.stm
Though Mehsud’s death is doubtless an important milestone, it suggests that drones can indeed be an effective counter insurgency tool. Though many observers blame drones for anti-American and anti-government sentiments in Pakistan, they may be crucial to making progress there.
Comment on August 10, 2009 @ 7:05 am