Baitullah rival Qari Zainuddin shot dead
June 23, 2009
The ex TTP commander who had denounced Baitullah Mehsud and revealed Mehsud’s links with foreign agencies, has been shot dead by a gunman. (Read: Israel, India Backing Mehsud: Reveal Former Aides)
Qari Zainuddin, had recently given statements to the media opposing Mehsud. He was killed in the northwestern town of Dera Ismail Khan, police said.
‘I confirm that Qari Zainuddin has been shot dead,’ Salahuddin, superintendent of police in the city, told Reuters.
It was not clear who was behind the killing, he said.
Zainuddin was in his office when a man opened fire on him, local police official Salah-ud-din Khan told AFP. ‘Zainuddin was immediately shifted to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries,’ he said, adding that one of the tribal leader’s accomplices was also injured in the shooting.
Khan said Zainuddin was pronounced dead by doctors when his body reached the hospital in Dera Ismail Khan.
Another local police official Ghulam Rabbani also confirmed the incident, saying ‘Qari Zainuddin has been assassinated’.
Suspicion is likely to focus on Mehsud for Zainuddin’s murder.
The government has ordered the military to go on the offensive against Mehsud.
The military has launched air strikes on Mehsud’s bases in the South Waziristan region on the Afghan border.
The United States has offered a reward of $5 million on information leading to Mehsud’s location or arrest.
A Taliban faction leader who criticized the militant group’s Pakistani head has been shot dead, reportedly by one of his own guards.
Dr. Mahmood Khan Bitani told The Associated Press that he pronounced Qari Zainuddin dead on arrival Tuesday at a hospital in the northwest with gunshot wounds to the head and chest.
Baz Mohammad, an aide of the militant leader who also was wounded, says a guard barged into a room at Zainuddin’s compound after morning prayers and opened fire.
Zainuddin’s strong statements against Mehsud in recent days had led to speculation authorities were encouraging him to stand up to his rival, Mehsud.
I fail to understand why didn’t anyone give him security!
He opened his mouth against Baithullah so it was feared that such a thing would happen. May Allah rest his soul in peace.
Pakistan ka Khuda Hafiz
He should have been given very tight security…Mr. Rehman malik should be held responsible for this security failure….
He was killed inside Pakistan, Dera Ismail Khan !
under the arse of Rehman Malik. & his PP !!
Rehman Malik could’nt be blamed as he was performing a naked ritual, the whole day behind his Khalifah, could’nt come out in public, naked, specially on GEO !!!!