Pakistani Taliban Leader Killed

An airstrike is believed to have taken out a key Pakistani Taliban figure along with at least 15 other militants. "I would be surprised if he's alive," said Pakistan's Interior Minister. "I hope we'll have confirmation in a day or so." If his death is confirmed, Faqir Mohammed would be the latest killed or arrested in a recent string of anti-Taliban successes; Faqir himself staked a claim to the leadership of the movement after top Pakistani Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud was killed in a CIA bombing last August. Faqir had also been linked to a major al-Qaeda figure. The strike killed senior Taliban leader Fateh Mohammed of Pakistan's Swat Valley, as well.