Hakeemullah appointed Baitullah’s ‘successor’
* Acting TTP chief Maulvi Faqir Muhammad says Baitullah Mehsud alive but seriously ill
By Hasbanullah Khan
KHAR: Denying any differences within the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, a senior Taliban leader on Saturday named Hakeemullah Mehsud as the successor of Baitullah Mehsud who was “killed” on August 5 to South Waziristan.
“During a special meeting of the TTP shura, Hakeemullah Mehsud was unanimously named the new ameer of our organisation,” Maulvi Faqir Muhammad, the TTP deputy chief and Taliban leader in Bajaur, told Daily Times.
On Wednesday, Faqir had named himself the acting TTP chief and nominated Muslim Khan as new central spokesman after Maulvi Umar was captured in Mohmand Agency on August 17.
Sick: Faqir reiterated his denial that Baitullah was killed saying, “Ameer sahib is absolutely alive, although he is sick.”
Analysts said with the announcement of Hakeemullah as the new TTP chief, the Taliban were gradually moving towards formally acknowledging the loss of Baitullah.
Faqir said the 42-member shura (advisory council) also nominated Azam Tariq central spokesman, withdrawing his decision regarding the appointment of Swat Taliban leader Muslim Khan as their spokesman.
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