Hakimullah Mehsud

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Hakimullah Mehsud
(Pashto: حکیم اللہ محسود‎)
Born 1979 (age 33–34)
Bannu, North Waziristan
Allegiance Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan
Years of service 2000s to present
Battles/wars War in North-West Pakistan
Relations Qari Hussain (cousin)

Hakimullah (Hakim Ullah, Hakeemullah) Mehsud (Pashto/Urdu: حکیم‌الله محسود), born c. 1979 as Jamshed Mehsud (Pashto/Urdu: جمشید محسود) and also known as Zulfiqar Mehsud (Pashto/Urdu: ذو الفقار محسود), is the Emir of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).[1][2][3][4] He was deputy to commander Baitullah Mehsud and one of the leaders of the militant group Fedayeen al-Islam prior to the elder Mehsud's death in a CIA drone missile strike.[5][6][7] He had been the TTP's commander in the Khyber, Kurram and Orakzai agencies of Pakistan.[5] He is described as being born about 1979 and a cousin of Qari Hussain.[5] He is known to be a young and aggressive field commander, who previously served as a driver and was very close to Baitullah Mehsud.[8] Hakimullah Mehsud maintains ties to al-Qaeda, the Afghan Taliban and various Pakistani jihadist groups, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, and Jaish-e-Mohammed.[9] Reports initially indicated he was fatally wounded on January 14, 2010 by a U.S. drone attack[10][11] although two videos released by the TTP in 2010 and 2011 proved that he survived the attack.[12][13] Mehsud was reported by Pakistani intelligence to have been killed by US drone strike on 12 January 2012.[14] However, the Pakistani Taliban denied the claim.[15] Presently, the FBI is offering a $5,000,000 US Dollar reward for information leading to his capture.

Contents

Early years [edit]

Hakimullah was born Jamshed Mehsud[1] in the region of Kotkai near the town of Jandola in South Waziristan.

Education [edit]

Mehsud was educated in a small village madrassa in Hangu District. Baitullah Mehsud also attended the same school but eventually dropped out.[2]

Militant activity [edit]

Jihad [edit]

Jamshed Mehsud joined his clansman Baitullah in jihad, initially as his bodyguard and aide.[2] He adopted the nom de guerre Zulfiqar, then later took the name Hakimullah, meaning one who has knowledge.[1] He gained a reputation within the Taliban for his battle skills with the AK-47 and the Toyota pickup truck.

In 2004, he was made a spokesman.[1] He organized a series of raids against U.S. military convoys between the summer of 2007 and the spring of 2008 that forced the closure of the Khyber Pass six times.[9] In 2008, he was given command of the Orakzai, Khyber and Kurram districts.[1]

Tehrik-e-Taliban [edit]

On August 22, 2009 Hakimullah Mehsud was appointed unanimously as the new leader of the Tehrik-e-Taliban by a 42-member shura.[8][16] Analysts cited by The Daily Times interpreted the appointment of the 28-year-old commander as a way to admit the death of Baitullah Mehsud although spokesmen for the group continued to vehemently deny his passing, instead saying he was ill.[16][17]

Baitullah's successor [edit]

Pakistani news channels reported on August 8, 2009 that Hakimullah Mehsud was killed after shooting erupted between his camp and that of Wali-ur-Rehman during a shura to determine the successor to the slain Baitullah Mehsud. Interior Minister Rehman Malik could not confirm the death only that the fighting had occurred.[18] On August 10, a man claiming to be Hakimullah Mehsud called a Reuters reporter to declare that he and Baitullah were still alive. While the reporter was certain that the call was authentic, Pakistani officials awaited voice analysis results and stated that intercepted phone calls led to the intelligence of Hakimullah's death.[19] Wali-ur-Rehman telephoned a Reuters reporter to say that Hakimullah is alive, and would be calling soon, and that the first shura where the shooting supposedly occurred never took place.

Controversies [edit]

Death [edit]

Pakistani intelligence officials who thought that Hakimullah had perished believed that the militant's younger brother had returned from fighting in Afghanistan to assume the elder's identity in an effort to project an image of stability and cohesion amid a power struggle among TTP leadership.[3][20][21][22]

On August 25, Hakimullah and Rehman telephoned the BBC to say that Baitullah Mehsud had died on August 23, 2009 and that Hakimullah had replaced him as TTP leader.[23]

On September 5, 2009, Pakistan forces claimed they had captured a man who confessed to killing Hakimullah Mehsud.[24]

On September 29, 2009, Mehsud's brother Kalimullah was reportedly killed by Pakistan security forces in North Waziristan.[25][26]

On October 1, 2009, The Daily Times reported that, according to diplomatic sources, US officials also doubted Hakimullah Mehsud was still alive.[27]

On October 4, 2009 Hakimullah met with a small group of reporters to end any speculation of his demise. He repeated his vows of revenge for the death of Baitullah Mehsud and the drone missile strikes occurring in the tribal areas.[26] However, Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik maintained doubts that it was in fact Hakimullah Mehsud in the video, but rather his look-alike brother.[28]

In the early hours of January 14, 2010, two missiles from a US drone struck a compound in the Shaktoi area, where it was believed that Hakimullah slept. Unnamed officials speculated that the militant leader was among the 18 killed in the attack, although TTP spokesman Azam Tariq denied the Emir had died, but did confirm that Hakimullah had been in the area.[29][30][31] On January 16 the group released an audiotape carrying the voice of Hakimullah, who said, "Today, on the 16th of January, I am saying it again – I am alive, I am OK, I am not injured ... when the drone strike took place, I was not present in the area at that time."[31] Subsequently rumors circulated that he had died of injuries received in the attack.[32] On January 31, 2010, Pakistan state television reported that Mehsud was injured in the attack and died three days later of his injuries. He was allegedly buried in Orakzai Agency.[33]

Reuters, quoting Pakistani intelligence sources, subsequently suggested that while escaping the initial attack, he was killed in another attack on January 17.[34] The Taliban have rejected reports about Hakimullah's death.[35] The Long War Journal quoted an American intelligence official stating, "We've seen no evidence he was killed, nor do we hear chatter of a leadership crisis in the Taliban ranks."[36] The New York Times reported that American intelligence was 90% sure that he was dead.[37]

On February 9, multiple reports, citing Taliban sources, stated that Mehsud had indeed been fatally wounded on January 14, and died en route to Karachi for medical treatment.[10][38] Interior Minister Rehman Malik and an anonymous intelligence official told the Associated Press that the militant leader had perished but provided no further details.[11] While the Taliban did release a videotape of Mehsud on February 28, officials questioned when the tape was made, as Mehsud did not provide details on current events.[39]

On January 15, 2012 Pakistani intelligence officials reported that intercepted radio messages between militants indicated Hakimullah Mehsud was killed in a US drone airstrike on the 12th of that month. Pakistani Taliban spokesman Asimullah Mehsud denied claim.[40][41] Another TTP spokesman, Ihsanullah Ihsan, said in response "There is no truth in reports about his death. However, he is a human being and can die any time. He is a holy warrior and we will wish him martyrdom. We will continue jihad if Hakimullah is alive or dead. There are so many lions in this jungle, and one lion will replace another one to continue this noble mission."[42][43]

Alive [edit]

On April 28, 2010, Pakistani intelligence sources expressed doubts of Mehsud's demise.[44] The sources believed that Mehsud had been seriously injured in the strike and that his authority in the TTP had been overshadowed by other figures, such as Wali-ur-Rehman.[45]

On May 3, a video of Hakimullah surfaced that was recorded in April.[12]

In February 2011, Hakimullah was seen in the execution video of Sultan Emir Tarar, better known as Col Imam. Imam was kidnapped in March 2010.[13][46]

Hakimullah Mehsud appeared alongside suicide bomber Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi in an early January 2010 video that claimed responsibility for the Camp Chapman attack in retaliation for the death of Baitulluh Mehsud.[29][47]

In January of 2012, several video interviews were uploaded to YouTube. The video was obtained from an Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation TV interview featuring Hakimullah Mehsud. However, there are no dates associated with the videos.[48]

Reward for Capture [edit]

Pakistan Bounty [edit]

On November 2, 2009 Pakistani authorities offered a Rs50 million ($600,000) [49] reward for information that leads to the capture or killing of Hakimullah Mehsud. They offered the same reward for similar information regarding Wali-ur-Rehman and Qari Hussain and smaller rewards for 16 other TTP militants.[50][51]

United States Bounty [edit]

On September 1, 2010 the United States added the militant leader to its list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists and the TTP to its list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations.[52] The FBI posted a reward of $5,000,000 US Dollars for information leading to his capture.[53]

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e "Hakeemullah cultivates ruthless reputation". Dawn.com (Dawn Media Group). 2010-01-14. Retrieved 2010-01-14. 
  2. ^ a b c "Profile: Hakimullah Mehsud". BBC News. 2009-08-25. Retrieved 2010-01-05. 
  3. ^ a b Kahn, Ismail and Polgreen, Linda (August 22, 2009). "New leader of Pakistan’s Taliban is named, though officials believe he is dead". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-08-22. 
  4. ^ Alex Rodriguez and Zulfiqar Ali (August 22, 2009). "Pakistani Taliban names new leader". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-08-22. 
  5. ^ a b c "Hakimullah Mehsud unveils himself to media". All Voices. 29 November 2008. Retrieved 9 December 2012. 
  6. ^ "Pakistan's extremists: The slide downhill". The Economist. 2009-04-08. Retrieved 2009-05-28. 
  7. ^ "Baitullah's likely successor Hakimullah dies in Taliban infighting". Times of India. 2009-08-09. Archived from the original on 2009-08-09. 
  8. ^ a b Associated Press (August 22, 2009). "Pakistani Taliban Choose New Chief". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-08-22. 
  9. ^ a b Roggio, Bill (2010-05-07). "The Pakistani Taliban's top leaders". The Long War Journal. Public Multimedia Inc. Retrieved 2011-02-08. 
  10. ^ a b "Sources: Pakistani Taliban leader is dead". CNN. 2010-02-09. Retrieved 2010-02-09. 
  11. ^ a b "Pakistani Officials Say Taliban Chief Is Dead". NPR.org (NPR). 2010-02-10. Retrieved 2010-02-11. [dead link]
  12. ^ a b Gall, Carlotta (2010-04-03). "Video Shows U.S. Attack Did Not Kill Top Militant". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-04-03. 
  13. ^ a b "Taliban release video of killing of Col Imam". LiveLeak.com. Retrieved 2012-01-17. 
  14. ^ "Hakimullah Mehsud reportedly killed in drone strike". Dawn.com. 2012-01-14. Retrieved 2012-01-15. 
  15. ^ "Pakistani Taliban Deny Death of Leader". Wall Street Journal. 16 January 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2012. 
  16. ^ a b Khan, Hasbanullah (2009-08-23). "Hakeemullah appointed Baitullah’s ‘successor’". Daily Times. Retrieved 2009-08-24. 
  17. ^ Bitani, Alamgir (August 9, 2009). "US says evidence Taliban chief dead "pretty conclusive"". Reuters (Thompson Reuters). Retrieved 2009-08-22. 
  18. ^ "Fighting erupts between Taliban rivals". Financial Times. 2009-08-08. Retrieved 2009-08-08. "Pakistani news channels were carrying unconfirmed reports that Hakimullah Mehsud, one of the movement’s most powerful commanders, had been killed at a shura, or council meeting, held to decide who would succeed slain leader Baitullah Mehsud. “The infighting was between Wali-ur-Rehman and Hakimullah Mehsud,” Interior Minister Rehman Malik told Reuters. “We have information that one of them has been killed. Who was killed we will be able to say later after confirming.”" 
  19. ^ Shah, Pir Zubair; Sabrina Tavernise (2009-08-11). "U.S. Missile Kills at Least 10 in Pakistan Tribal Area". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-08-11. 
  20. ^ "Hakimullah's 'look alike brother' new Taliban chief: report". Indian Express. 2009-08-23. Retrieved 2009-08-31. 
  21. ^ "Falling out". The Economist. 2009-08-27. Retrieved 2009-08-31. 
  22. ^ "Hakeemullah annnounced new leader – doubts linger". Dawn News. 2009-08-23. Retrieved 2009-08-31. "Another senior officer, who requested anonymity, speculated that the Taliban leadership was trying to buy time until one of Hakeemullah's brothers returned from fighting in the Afghan insurgency to take command of his men." 
  23. ^ "Taliban confirm commander's death". BBC News. August 25, 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-25. 
  24. ^ Killer of Hakimullah surrenders | Pakistan | News | Newspaper | Daily | English | Online
  25. ^ "AFP: Pakistan Taliban chief's brother killed: officials". Google.com. 2009-09-30. Retrieved 2012-01-17. 
  26. ^ a b "Hakimullah Mehsud alive, meets reporters". Dawn.com (Dawn Media Group). 2009-10-05. Retrieved 2009-10-05. 
  27. ^ "5 killed in drone strike: BBC airs footage confirming Baitullah’s death". Daily Times. 2009-10-01. Retrieved 2009-10-01. 
  28. ^ Masood, Salman (2009-10-06). "Pakistan Braces for Taliban Attacks as It Prepares Offensive". New York Times (New York City: The New York Times Company). Retrieved 2009-10-10. "Mr. Malik also cast doubt over a new video that purports to show Hakimullah Mehsud, the new leader of the Pakistani Taliban. He said the person in the video instead appears to be Hakimullah’s brother, who bears a strong resemblance." 
  29. ^ a b Mehsud, Sailab (2010-01-15). "US drone targets Hakimullah Mehsud". Dawn.com (Dawn Media Group). Retrieved 2010-01-14. 
  30. ^ Constable, Pamela; Haq Nawaz Khan (2010-01-14). "U.S. strike may have killed top Taliban leader in Pakistan". Washington Post (Washington, DC: The Washington Post Company). Retrieved 2010-01-14. 
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  32. ^ "Rumours about Hakimullah’s death". The News International. 2010-01-28. Retrieved 2010-01-31. [dead link]
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  35. ^ "Taliban rejects report about Hakimullah's death". Pakistan News.Net. 2010-01-31. Retrieved 2010-02-06. 
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  37. ^ Perlez, Jane; Shah, Pir Zubair (2010-01-31). "Pakistani Taliban leader is reported dead". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-02-01. 
  38. ^ Rodriguez, Alex (2010-02-09). "Pakistani Taliban confirm leader's death". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-02-09. 
  39. ^ [1][dead link]
  40. ^ "Pakistan Taliban leader reported dead in U.S. strike –". Usatoday.com. 2009-10-04. Retrieved 2012-01-17. 
  41. ^ The writer has posted comments on this article (1970-01-01). "Hakimullah Mehsud not dead: Pakistan Taliban - The Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2012-01-17. 
  42. ^ Elias-Sanborn, Barbara (2 February 2012). "The Pakistani Taliban's Coming Divide". Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 13 March 2012. 
  43. ^ Jibran Ahmad (15 January 2012). "Pakistan Taliban leader believed dead: intelligence officials". Reuters. Retrieved 9 December 2012. 
  44. ^ Walsh, Declan (2010-04-28). "Pakistan Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud is alive, says spy agency". Guardian.co.uk (London). Retrieved 2010-04-28. 
  45. ^ "Pakistan Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud 'still alive'". BBC News. 2010-04-29. 
  46. ^ By Express / Online. "Taliban release video of killing of Col Imam – The Express Tribune". Tribune.com.pk. Retrieved 2012-01-17. 
  47. ^ Khan, M Ilyas (2010-01-09). "'CIA bomber' video indicates Taliban's reach". BBC News. Retrieved 2010-05-04. 
  48. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZS66c95CRe0
  49. ^ "Pakistan offers Taliban bounties". BBC News. 2009-11-02. Retrieved 2010-05-04. 
  50. ^ "Deadly blast rocks Pakistani city". Al Jazeera (Doha: Aljazeera IT). 2009-11-02. Retrieved 2009-11-02. 
  51. ^ "Government offers reward for leads on Taliban chiefs". Dawn (Dawn Media Group). 2009-11-02. Retrieved 2009-11-02. 
  52. ^ "Designations of Tehrik-E-Taliban Pakistan and Two Senior Leaders" (Press release). U.S. State Department. 2010-09-01. Retrieved 2010-09-02. 
  53. ^ "Hakimullah Mehsud". FBI. Retrieved 9 December 2012. 
Military offices
Preceded by
Baitullah Mehsud		 Leader of Pakistani Taliban
2009 –		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
The Taliban movement branch in Waziristan (FATA), approximately 35,000 members
Leaders
Spokesmen
Alleged/claimed actions
See also
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