Taliban says reports of leader's death just rumors
Source: Agencies |
May 24, 2011, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE Taliban has denied a report in the Afghan press that the insurgent group's leader had been killed in neighboring Pakistan, saying yesterday that Mullah Mohammad Omar is alive and in Afghanistan.
"This is absolutely wrong. It's only propaganda and we completely deny these rumors," Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said. "He is inside Afghanistan and he is busy directing military operations with his commanders."
There has been much speculation that the United States might ramp up efforts to kill or capture the reclusive, one-eyed Taliban leader after the successful strike against Osama bin Laden. US President Barack Obama has said he would order another covert military raid if it was necessary to stop terrorist attacks.
Most of those with knowledge of the Taliban organization say Omar is hiding in southern Pakistan, around Quetta or Karachi.
Afghan news channel Tolo quoted an anonymous Afghan intelligence official as saying Omar had been shot dead in Pakistan while being moved from Quetta to North Waziristan with the help of former Pakistani intelligence chief General Hamid Gul.
'Sheer deception'
A Pakistani intelligence official said that there was no information to suggest the report of Omar's death was true.
Gul said the story was false.
"This is propaganda, sheer deception, disinformation," Gul said. "I have never met him. I've never seen him. No contact whatsoever."
A spokesman for the Afghan intelligence service said they had confirmed reports that Omar had been moved within Pakistan and that Gul was involved.
Pakistan's foreign minister, meanwhile, arrived in Kabul to meet with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. His discussions with Afghan and US officials were expected to focus on how the three countries could work together to fight terrorism, improve economic ties and forge peace in Afghanistan.
Also yesterday, a suicide bomber attacked a gathering of tribal leaders in eastern Laghman province yesterday, killing four tribal elders and wounding 14 others. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, but said it was aimed at area militia commanders.
"This is absolutely wrong. It's only propaganda and we completely deny these rumors," Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said. "He is inside Afghanistan and he is busy directing military operations with his commanders."
There has been much speculation that the United States might ramp up efforts to kill or capture the reclusive, one-eyed Taliban leader after the successful strike against Osama bin Laden. US President Barack Obama has said he would order another covert military raid if it was necessary to stop terrorist attacks.
Most of those with knowledge of the Taliban organization say Omar is hiding in southern Pakistan, around Quetta or Karachi.
Afghan news channel Tolo quoted an anonymous Afghan intelligence official as saying Omar had been shot dead in Pakistan while being moved from Quetta to North Waziristan with the help of former Pakistani intelligence chief General Hamid Gul.
'Sheer deception'
A Pakistani intelligence official said that there was no information to suggest the report of Omar's death was true.
Gul said the story was false.
"This is propaganda, sheer deception, disinformation," Gul said. "I have never met him. I've never seen him. No contact whatsoever."
A spokesman for the Afghan intelligence service said they had confirmed reports that Omar had been moved within Pakistan and that Gul was involved.
Pakistan's foreign minister, meanwhile, arrived in Kabul to meet with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. His discussions with Afghan and US officials were expected to focus on how the three countries could work together to fight terrorism, improve economic ties and forge peace in Afghanistan.
Also yesterday, a suicide bomber attacked a gathering of tribal leaders in eastern Laghman province yesterday, killing four tribal elders and wounding 14 others. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, but said it was aimed at area militia commanders.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
