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Why Mehsud is claiming responsibility for attacks
 Baitullah Mehsud's claims of responsibility for a series of terrorist attacks in Pakistan may indicate jockeying for power among militant groups, analysts say."There is an internal power struggle going on now," a former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) station chief in Peshawar told MSNBC. "When [Mehsud] thinks that someone new is coming up and could overshadow him, he kills him." Mehsud first gained attention by sending suicide bombers into Afghanistan to attack US and NATO forces. Then in 2007 he declared war on Pakistan, forming the Tehreek-e-Taliban to target the Pakistan Army for supporting the US in Afghanistan. A former Mehsud lieutenant from another tribe first claimed responsibility for the attack. That seemed to have forced Mehsud to quickly call local reporters and take 'ownership'. The two commanders often argue, according to a Taliban leader. "The Lahore attack could have been his [Mehsud's] idea, but he could not have done it without some help from the Punjabis," said a Pakistani intelligence official. "What's more, all of these Punjabi groups have splintered and shifted in part out of the Punjab and into the Tribal Areas to band, but not always bond, with the Pakistani Taliban and Al Qaeda. ... Mehsud has become very powerful among the tribal militants, but he may be feeling the heat from the Punjabis. ... They are better trained .... and perhaps even more motivated than his men. While there is increasing coordination among the groups, all of them may not want to take orders from him." Posted by: Fred 2009-04-08 |
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