Pak Taliban claims Baitullah Mehsud is alive

Peshawar, Oct 1 (ANI): The Pakistan's unit of the Taliban, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has denied media reports suggesting that its top commander Baitullah Mehsud had died of illness last night.

According to senior journalist Saleem Safi, TTP media felt annoyed by some media reports about death of Baitullah Mehsud. Baitullah Mehsud has offered Eid prayers in some undisclosed area of Waziristan, The News reported.

TTP spokesman accused that some elements were spreading false news on instructions of agencies.

Earlier, media reports had said that Mehsud was believed to be suffering from diabetes and hypertension, and had been bed-ridden for the past three weeks and was unable to move, causing a lot of concern among the Taliban leaders.

It was also reported that his poor health had led to the convergence of the top militant leadership at Makeen in South Waziristan tribal region for a meeting.

The last time Mehsud had fallen ill a few months ago, he had gone into a coma. His condition was reportedly so bad that a meeting of top Taliban leaders was on the verge of nominating a new chief. However, Mehsud regained consciousness and made a swift recovery.

"This time also he seems to have gone into a coma... This time, however, his condition may be more serious as his kidneys have failed because of the high level of sugar," the report quoted a source as saying earlier this week.

Mehsud (35), a former physical instructor at a school had recently got married. Like his idol, Taliban leader Mullah Omar, Mehsud rarely allowed himself to be photographed or filmed, said the report. (ANI)