THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: WASHINGTON – The leader of the Pakistani Taliban was killed in a drone strike by U.S. forces, Pakistani officials and one of the man's aides said.
Pakistani news accounts previously reported that the air strike, carried out early Wednesday morning, had killed one of the wives of the militant leader, Baitullah Mehsud. But Pakistani officials said Friday Mr. Mehsud is dead and that the Taliban had cordoned off the area, stopping anyone from getting near the site.
"I confirm that Baitullah Mehsud and his wife died in the American missile attack in South Waziristan,'' Taliban commander Kafayat Ullah told the Associated Press by telephone. He wouldn't give any further details.
Reports of Mr. Mehsud's death have circulated in the past, but a U.S. defense official said Pakistani officials appeared to be more certain this time that Mr. Mehsud had been killed. A U.S. counterterrorism official said there are "strong indications" that Mehsud was killed.
Baitullah Mehsud had emerged as one of the most wanted Islamist extremists in Pakistan's lawless western tribal regions, leading a large army of militants that have fought U.S. and Pakistani forces on both sides of the Afghan-Pakistani border.
Pakistani officials accused Mr. Mehsud of being behind a number of high-profile terrorist attacks, including the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 2007. >>> Peter Spiegel and Jay Solomon | Saturday, August 08, 2009 [sic]
Yet another ‘pious’ Muslim on his way to Paradise or Jannah (جنّة), another pious Muslim on his way (or has he already arrived?) to meet the virgins and beautiful, wide-eyed boys that will surely be awaiting his arrival to tend to his every desire and whim!
"And those foremost (In Tawheed and obedience to Allah and His Messenger in this life) will be foremost (in Paradise). They will be those nearest to Allah in the Gardens of Delight. A multitude of those (the foremost) will be from the first generation (who embraced Islam) and a few of those (the foremost) will be from the later (generations). They will be reclining, face to face, on thrones woven with gold and precious stones. They will be served by immortal boys, with cups and jugs, and a glass from the flowing wine, from which they will have neither any headache, nor any intoxication. They will have fruit from which they may choose, and the flesh of fowls that they desire. There will be Houris with wide, lovely eyes (as wives for the pious), like preserved pearls, a reward for deeds that they used to do. They will hear no vain or sinful speech (like backbiting, etc.) but only the saying of: Salam, Salam, (greetings of peace). And those on the Right Hand, who will be those on the Right Hand? They will be among thorn-less lote-trees among Talh (banana trees) with fruits piled one above another, in long-extended shade, by constantly flowing water, and fruit in plenty, whose season is not limited, and their supply will not be cut off. They will be on couches or thrones raised high. Verily, We have created for them (maidens) of equal age, loving (their husbands only). For those on the Right Hand." [56:10-38]Read more about what awaits pious Muslims in Paradise >>>
