ISLAMABAD — The Pakistani Taliban have appointed a new chief, militants said Saturday, selecting a top commander known for his ruthless efficiency in staging attacks, including a major hotel bombing and a deadly assault against the Sri Lankan cricket team.
The appointment of Haki-mullah Mehsud, 28, could herald an increase in attacks as the group tries to prove it is still intact and operational, analysts say. It comes after weeks of speculation and reported infighting among Taliban commanders to replace Baitullah Mehsud, the group's former chief who was reportedly killed in an Aug. 5 CIA missile strike in northwestern Pakistan.
Several top Taliban commanders have insisted Baitullah Mehsud is alive but have provided no proof. U.S. and Pakistani officials are almost certain he was killed.
The government said it was investigating the reports that Hakimullah Mehsud had been chosen as the new Taliban leader.
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Two close aides to another commander, Maulvi Faqir Mohammad, told The Associated Press that a 42-member Taliban council, or shura, appointed a new head because Baitullah Mehsud was ill.
"I do confirm that a shura held Friday ... has elected Hakimullah Mehsud (as) the new chief of the Taliban," said one of the aides, Bakht Zada. "Now all these talks of differences should end. There have not been any differences ever."
Mohammad had announced earlier this week that he had taken over control of the Taliban until a shura could pick a new leader because Baitullah Mehsud was too ill to lead. Beyond the statements of Mohammad's aides, there was no confirmation about the new appointment.
Pakistan's Taliban is a loose alliance of groups and tribal factions that Baitullah Mehsud had managed to unify, rather than a cohesive unit. If true, the selection of Hakimullah Mehsud is likely an attempt to shore up an organization reeling from the loss of its leader, said Kamran Bokhari, director of Middle East analysis with Stratfor, a global intelligence company.
As military chief of Baitullah's Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or Pakistani Taliban Movement, Hakimullah commanded three tribal regions and has a reputation as Baitullah's most ruthless deputy. He had been considered one of the top contenders to take over.
He first appeared in public to journalists last November, when he offered to take reporters on a ride in a U.S. Humvee taken from a supply truck heading to Af-ghanistan.
Authorities have said he has been behind threats to foreign embassies in Islamabad, and there is a $120,000 bounty on his head.
