Drone strike targets Hakimullah Mehsud, six killed

PESHAWAR: A US drone strike targeted a vehicle said to be in use of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander Hakimullah Mehsud in Pakistan’s northwestern tribal region near the Afghan border, killing at least six people, including two militant commanders, Geo News reported.

The TTP commanders were identified as Tariq Mehsud and Abdullah, sources said.

As yet it has not been confirmed if Hakimullah Mehsud was in the vehicle when it was targeted. Sources add, the attack took place in Danday Darpa Khel near Miranshah, the main town of North Waziristan Agency and a strong hold of the TTP.

Local sources add that TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud would often use the vehicle targeted.

It is being reported that locals were trying to retrieve the dead and injured from the wreckage.

Shortly after the attack, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan termed the attack an attempt to sabotage the government's plan to hold talks with the Taliban.

The Pakistani Taliban have also been demanding from the government to get the US drone strikes stopped before talks.

This was the second drone attack since Prime Minster Nawaz Sharif's visit to the United States, where he demanded US President Barack Obama to stop the attacks.

Pakistan has long been opposing CIA-operated drone attacks in the tribal region dubbing them as violation if its territorial integrity.