Taliban Say Mehsud Is Alive

A Taliban spokesman denied reports that the organization's leader, Baitullah Mehsud, was killed last week by a U.S. predator drone. Mehsud's deputy and a spokesman called the Associated Press to say Mehsud is alive and that the reports are meant to destroy the Taliban's morale. Though on Sunday, the aide said Mehsud is "gravely ill" for reasons unrelated to the drone attack, suggesting the Taliban is preparing to announce his death. Another Mehsud aide confirmed his death on Wednesday, so an internal power struggle is behind the conflicting reports. Interior Minister Rahman Malik said authorities heard word of a fight during a meeting led by two of the Taliban’s most powerful commanders, one of whom would replace Mehsud if he was killed. Reports of the meeting are unable to be verified, as it took place in an area off-limits to journalists.