New Delhi, August 26: As Pakistan’s Taliban finally accepted that their top commander Baitullah Mehsud was dead, they have decided to avenge his death and declared that the US President, Barack Obama, was their enemy number one.
Deciding to move on, the Taliban have even selected a new leader, Hakimullah Mehsud. The new head made his intention clear by vowing to avenge the death of Baitullah, who was killed in a US Drone attack.
After weeks of denial Pakistani Taliban on Tuesday finally acknowledged the death of their chief. The news was kept under wraps due to a succession battle raging within the Taliban. However, having settled their internal differences, the Taliban now call for unity and have also identified their biggest enemy in the US.
Taliban commander Waliur Rehman said, “Obama is our number one enemy and we are out to fight against him, but it is highly unlikely that we can force him to change their policies. (But) history will prove that how we reached to our enemies and how we destroyed and attacked their installations at important places.”
“For us (Taliban) death is more loveable than life and (for Taliban) it’s not difficult to reach anywhere whether it is Washington, London, Paris or Kabul. Insha Allah, we will prove that we can reach their places,” he added.
It clearly shows that despite a change of guard Taliban’s agenda remains unchanged.
The appointment of Hakimullah as chief had upset Baitullah’s cousin Waliur Rehman. It is even believed that the two factions led by Hakimullah and Waliur had taken up arms against each other. Waliur however rubbished these reports.
“There are no differences between the various Taliban factions and we are all united. These are only false reports being spread by the government,” he said.
Meanwhile, the US was closely watching Baitullah’s successor. Its main concern has been whether the new leader will direct more fighters across the border. The US and the NATO forces are already facing soaring attacks by insurgents in Afghanistan.
—Agencies