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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Top Militant Denies Taliban Shootout

Pakistan insists dead leader's aide killed in power struggle

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(Newser) – Days after Pakistan's Taliban leader reportedly died in a US airstrike, conflicting stories are emerging about a power struggle in the militant group, the New York Times reports. Waliur Rehman, a commander who had wanted to lead the Taliban, denies killing a young aide to the former leader in a shootout. But Pakistan officials insist that Hakimullah and Baitullah Mehsud, the aide and ex-chief, are both dead.

In a call to Reuters, Rehman insisted they are alive. “He definitely will call you and tell you everything,” Rehman said of Hakimullah Mehsud. Analysts say a Taliban power struggle could give al-Qaeda greater influence; the two have become increasingly intertwined. “When we need something, they take care of us, and when they need something, we help them,” a Taliban fighter says of al-Qaeda.

In this photo taken Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009, Pakistani villagers look at a house belonging to supporters of Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud, destroyed by authorities in Pakistan.
In this photo taken Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009, Pakistani villagers look at a house belonging to supporters of Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud, destroyed by authorities in Pakistan.   (AP Photo/Ishtiaq Mehsud)
Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik talks with media regarding the claimed death of the Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud in Islamabad, Pakistan on Friday, Aug 7, 2009.
Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik talks with media regarding the claimed death of the Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud in Islamabad, Pakistan on Friday, Aug 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/B.K.Bangash)
In this  made from video taken on May 24, 2008, Pakistan's top Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud, right, talks to the media.
In this made from video taken on May 24, 2008, Pakistan's top Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud, right, talks to the media.   (AP Photo/APTN)
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