Intelligence officials: Pakistani Taliban leader Mehsud confirmed dead

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Pakistani intelligence sources have confirmed the death of Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud. They say he was killed in a CIA missile strike. Mehsud's death is a major boost to Pakistani and US efforts to eradicate the Taliban and al-Qaida.

Baitullah Mehsud led a violent wave of suicide attacks and assassinations against the Pakistani government. He is suspected in the death of former Prime Minister Benzir Bhutto.

In this picture taken on May 24, 2008, Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud (centre) speaks to media representatives in the  tribal district of South Waziristan near the Afghan border. Pakistan  said Friday it believed that wanted Taliban warlord Mehsud was killed  in a US drone attack, which if confirmed would score a coup in the  US-led fight against Islamist militants.(AFP/File/Ijaz Mehmood)

Three intelligence officials said he was killed in Wednesday's missile attack on the home of his father-in-law. They said Mehsud's body was buried in a village nearby. The Pakistani interior minister calls Mehsud's death a warning to the Taliban.

Rehman Malik, Pakistani Interior Minister, said, "To the people in the Taliban group, I am warning them: they should leave this way of life, they should serve Islam and also serve Pakistan, as this country has given them refuge."