Rival of Pakistani Taliban Chief Killed
By VOA News
23 June 2009
Police in Pakistan say a militant leader opposed to Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud was shot dead Tuesday in northwest Pakistan.
Police say militant commander Qari Zainuddin was in his office in the town of Dera Ismail Khan when a gunman opened fire on him and wounded one of his aides. Zainuddin was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Zainuddin was a militant commander in the Taliban stronghold South Waziristan, but recently announced that he would support a planned military operation against Mehsud.
Officials say one of Zainuddin's guards barged into the complex and shot him after morning prayers. The motive for the attack is not clear, but suspicion is likely to fall on Mehsud and his followers.
Also Tuesday, locals in South Waziristan say a suspected U.S. drone aircraft fired a missile into a Mehsud stronghold, killing at least six militants.
Pakistan's military is preparing a new ground offensive against Mehsud's stronghold in South Waziristan. Pakistani jets have carried out airstrikes on Mehsud targets in recent days.
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