Taliban Chief Claims Lahore Attack, Vows to Hit US

(NEWSER) - Pakistani officials have confirmed the death of Baitullah Mehsud, the Pakistani Taliban leader, in an American drone strike early Wednesday. While there is still no concrete evidence of his death, the country's foreign minister said today that "he has been taken out." One security official told the New York Times that Mehsud has already been buried. Pakistani media are reporting that senior Taliban leaders are meeting to choose his successor. More»

Another cop, plus five Taliban militants also indicted

(NEWSER) - It looks more and more like Benazir Bhutto never had a chance that day. A Pakistani court today indicted two police officers in connection with her 2007 assassination in Rawalpindi, including the former police chief of the city. The pair, in charge of the former prime minister's security, had been previously arrested . "They have been charged with conspiracy as well as abetment in the murder," a government prosecutor tells Reuters . More»

Blames corruption charges on political enemies

(NEWSER) - On the anniversary of Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, it is necessary to reflect on “how her legacy must be preserved against those who would return Pakistan to darkness,” writes the husband of the former prime minister, President Asif Ali Zardari. Zardari claims victory over militants in Swat, and now in South Waziristan, and touts “constitutional reforms” that will curb executive powers installed by dictators. As his wife said, “democracy is the greatest revenge.” More»

Peshawar explosion rocks beleaguered nation

(NEWSER) - The string of deadly bombings in Pakistan continued today as 11 people died in a blast at a police station in Peshawar, the capital of the dangerous North West Frontier Province near the Afghan border. Two of the victims were children. The Taliban are being blamed for two weeks of unrelenting bloodshed in the northwest and in cities like Lahore which have killed more than 150 people. Today's attack, like previous ones, struck at security forces—a sign of resistance as Pakistan prepares new US-backed military offensives on Taliban strongholds. More»

(NEWSER) - US and Pakistani officials say they're all but certain they killed Baitullah Mehsud, yet one of his fellow Taliban commanders says that's just a bunch of "ridiculous" propaganda. Mehsud, he insists to the BBC, is alive and will stay underground for a few days before issuing a public statement. He offered no proof, however, and some analysts suggest he may be buying time to take over the Pakistan Taliban himself, notes Reuters. More»