PESHAWAR: Pakistan’s Taliban have threatened to avenge the death of their leader in a US missile strike, as experts warned Wednesday of possible attacks by a new leadership keen to prove its strength.

Hakimullah Mehsud late Tuesday declared himself new chief of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militia, confirming for the first time that Baitullah Mehsud was killed this month.

‘We will take revenge and soon. We will give our reply to this drone attack to America,’ Hakimullah Mehsud told AFP.

On Wednesday another Taliban leader, Wali-ur Rehman, backed Hakimullah’s claim and said he had been appointed rebel chief in the insurgent stronghold of South Waziristan.

‘Myself and the whole of the Taliban movement announced its support for Hakimullah. He is now our new head,’ said Rehman.

‘All the Taliban are united. There are no differences among us… We will continue our struggle against the enemy and our main enemy is America and all those who support, help and side with America against Muslims.’—AFP

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