Military offensive against TTP Chief Baitullah Mehsud in full swing

Islamabad, June 30, IRNA -- Pakistani security forces have stepped up a military operation against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Chief Baitullah Mehsud in South Waziristan tribal agency and bombed several militants’ hideouts during the offensive.

Local media reported that three major hideouts of militants including one established in a school were destroyed and 15 militants were killed during jets bombardment in Ladha and Sam areas on Monday. Three persons were killed and seven hurt when a shell hit a house in Kari Khel area of Azam Warsik.
On the other hand, a man gunned down by unknown persons in Garapathar area at Wana-Tank Road. The man was identified as a commander of Baitullah Mehsud group.
The operation called Rah-e-Nijat is meant to deal with the scourge of terrorism. With an increase in military attacks, about 45,000 people have fled from the area, according to military estimates.
Aid workers, however, do not expect a huge exodus from South Waziristan because the population there is relatively small.
Pakistan government has announced a total Rs130.5 million bounty on Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan Chief Baitullah Mehsud and 10 other militant commanders, one among them an Afghan national, thought to be operating in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).
The bounty on Baitullah Mehsud, who hails from the South Waziristan tribal region, was set at Rs50 million.
Local Urdu dailies in Peshawar city have published advertisements offering rewards on information leading to the capture of Baitullah and 10 other militant commanders dead or alive.
The US government had also announced $5 million reward for information leading to the capture of Baitullah in March this year.
Baitullah Mehsud, as his name suggests, belongs to the Mehsud tribe. Since 9/11 he has grown in strength and stature and is said to command about 20,000 pro-Taleban militants. A majority belong to the Mehsud tribe.
Mehsud's South Waziristan is regarded as a safe haven for al-Qaeda and the Taleban.
Baitullah Mehsud played a leading role in a vicious campaign against the military operation in Waziristan throughout 2004, during which he employed many of the tactics evolved during his time in Afghanistan, including beheading local policemen, guerrilla warfare and using the rugged terrain to hide troops and supplies.
In this regard, he is said to have played a major role, especially in providing a sanctuary for fighters to operate in Afghanistan.
After a failed peace accord in February 2005, Baitullah Mehsud's militants waged a guerrilla war that virtually pushed the army out of South Waziristan.
Since 2006 there has also been a wave of suicide bombings that has swept across Pakistan - credited by intelligence operatives to Mehsud's lieutenant, Qari Hussain, among others.
Baitullah Mehsud, avoids media attention and refuses to be photographed in adherence with his religious beliefs. Mehsud says it is the duty of every Muslim to wage jihad against "the infidel forces of America and Britain".
As a young madrassa student, Baitullah would often travel into Afghanistan to assist the Taliban in its implementation of Sharia.
Since the 2007 Red Mosque siege in Islamabad - in which the security forces confronted militant students - Mehsud has further trained his guns on the Pakistani authorities.
Baitullah Mehsud, also claimed responsibility for the attack on a police training academy in Manawan (on the outskirts of Lahore) on March 30. He claims to enjoy a ‘good relationship’ with the Afghan Taliban’s top most commander Mullah Omar.
Various other media sources had reported the death of Baithullah Mehsud on 30 September 2008. His "death", at the age of 34, was reportedly due to kidney failure preceded by a short sickness. These rumors were vehemently denied by many of his close associates, including his aide, his doctor and a Taliban spokesman.
On 28 December 2007 the Pakistan government claimed that it had strong evidence regarding Baitullah Mehsud as the man behind the assassination of former Prime Minster Benazir Bhutto on 27 December 2007.
The Pakistani government released a transcript it asserted was from a conversation between Baitullah Mehsud and a local cleric.
In an address to the nation on 2 January 2008, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said that Maulana Fazlullah and Baitullah Mehsud were prime suspects in the assassination of Bhutto.
Preliminary investigations concerning the September 2007 bombings in the city of Rawalpindi have also noted that Mehsud is the primary suspect behind the attacks.
Few days back a gunman had shot dead a rival of Baitullah Mehsud, dealing a potential blow to a government plan to defeat al Qaeda ally Mehsud.
Zainuddin's strong statements against Mehsud in recent days had led to speculation authorities were encouraging him to stand up to his rival.
Suspicion for his murder is bound to focus on Mehsud, who was accused of being behind the killing of a prominent anti-Taliban cleric in a suicide bomb attack in the city of Lahore this month
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