Leading Pakistani Taliban deputy believed dead

A top Pakistani Taliban commander is believed to have died in a Pakistan army airstrike, officials said today.

Maulvi Faqir Mohammed’s death would be the latest blow to insurgents who have threatened Pakistan and US forces in neighbouring Afghanistan.

Two intelligence officials said he probably died along with two dozen other militants Friday in the northwest Mohmand tribal area.

Mohammed ran the Pakistani Taliban’s operations in the Bajur region and is thought to be close to al Qaida number two leader Ayman al-Zawahri.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said he would be surprised if Mohammed was alive.

Independent confirmation is nearly impossible to get immediately in the remote area.