Pakistan Taliban leader killed during firing

Firing reportedly occurred during a meeting of the banned group Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leaders, and Hakmiullah Mehsud, the spokesman of the TTP, was killed, local TV channel reported Saturday.
Pakistan Taliban commander Hakimullah Mehsud (L) is seen with his arm around Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud during a news conference in South Waziristan in this May 24, 2008 file photo.
Armed clash was reported to have occurred between two groups ofthe TTP during the Shura (council) meeting to elect a new chief in northwest Pakistan's South Waziristan tribal region, and Hakmiullah Mehsud, the spokesman of the TTP, was killed by Waliur Rehman, another prominent Taliban commander who was also injured, the private TV channel DAWN News reported.
It was said that at the meeting Hakimiullah Mehsud was appointed as TTP chief.
Pakistan's most wanted militant commander, Baitullah Mehsud, was reportedly killed along with his wife and bodyguards by United States missile attack on Wednesday. The other leaders of the group have held meeting to elect a new chief since Friday.
Analysts said the death of Baitullah Mehsud will deal a major blow to the TTP as its division in splinter groups seems imminent.
VietNamNet/Xinhuanet