Pakistan confirms death of Taliban chief Mehsud

Pakistan's Taliban chief, Baitullah Mehsud, who led a series of suicide attacks against the Pakistani government, has been killed. Pakistan's Foreign Minister said intelligence sources have confirmed the death.

An aide to Mehsud said the Taliban chief was killed by US missile attack in northwest Pakistan. Mehsud's wife and six body guards were also killed.

The aide said the Taliban held a funeral for him, and his body was buried not far from the site of the missile strike.

This information was also verified by Pakistani Foreign Minister.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Pakistani FM, said, "According to my information, the reports about Baitullah Mehsud, according to my intelligence information, these reports are correct, but we are carrying out ground verifications. Once we get the ground verification, then it will be hundred percent confirmed. But according to my information, these reports are correct and he has been taken out."

But the Taliban in Pakistan has denied reports of killings of their chief, and claim Mehsud is safe.

Conflicting reports about the death of Mehsud gripped South Waziristan following Wednesday's drone attack, which hit the house of Mehsud's father-in-law.

If confirmed, Mehsud's demise would be a major boost to Pakistani and US efforts to eradicate the Taliban and al-Qaida.

Baitullah Mehsud has been blamed for a wave of suicide violence across Pakistan, including the 2007 assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto. The US had offered a 5-million dollar reward for information about him.