Hakimullah Mehsud Reported Killed But He Is Fit and Healthy

ISLAMABAD, KOMPAS.com - A new leader Taliban Pakistan, Hakimullah Mehsud, still in good shape and held a press conference in the middle of the news that he was killed.

Hakimullah met journalists, Sunday (4/10), but have only revealed the news on Monday (5/10), Pakistan time. This is the first appearance to the public for Hakimullah since he replaces Baitullah Mehsud which killed in U.S. missile attack in August 2009.

In the meeting, Hakimullah promised to avenge the death of the Baitullah and a day later a suicide bomber attacked the UN offices in Islamabad that killed five people.

Hakimullah also describes the relationship of the Taliban and Al Qaeda as a relationship “love and affection”. Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and his henchmen are believed hiding in remote areas of Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The area is believed under the rule of Hakimullah.

Pakistan Minister Rehman Malik has been severel times said that Hakimullah and his deputy Waliur Rehman have been killed. Western diplomats in Islamabad also said that the intelligence reports they indicated that Hakimullah killed.

In fact, Hakimullah fresh and fit. Speaking in a soft voice he sat under a tree. He was surrounded by Taliban commanders, including Waliur Rehman. They wanted to show that the Taliban insurgents remain united in South Waziristan. It was present at the meeting: Qari Hussain, the head of Taliban suicide bombings and Azam Tariq, a spokesman for the Taliban.

Hakimullah to Pakistan five journalists, including one from the Associated Press, confirmed the Taliban leadership remains solid and united. “We all sat in front of you, which proves all the news about me, all of them are unfounded and wrong,” said Hakimullah.