Pakistani Taliban fighters secretly buried their leader on Saturday after he was killed by a US drone aircraft and quickly moved to replace him while vowing a wave of revenge suicide bombings. The government denounced the killing of Hakimullah Mehsud as a US bid to derail planned peace talks and summoned the US ambassador to protest. Some lawmakers demanded the blocking of US supply lines into Afghanistan in retaliation.
"The murder of Hakimullah is the murder of all efforts at peace," said Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar. "Americans said they support our efforts at peace. Is this support?" Mehsud's vehicle was hit after he attended a meeting of Taliban leaders, a Pakistani Taliban fighter said, adding that Mehsud's body was "damaged but recognisable". His bodyguard and driver were also killed.
He was secretly buried under cover of darkness in the early hours by a few companions amid fears that his funeral might be attacked by US drones, militants and security sources said. "Every drop of Hakimullah's blood will turn into a suicide bomber," said Azam Tariq, a Pakistani Taliban spokesman. "America and their friends shouldn't be happy because we will take revenge for our martyr's blood." Shops and markets were open in the town. Residents said they were worried about a possible army offensive but not Taliban reprisals. They expected the militants to launch attacks elsewhere in Pakistan. "We feel the militants will show their reaction in major cities like they usually do," said resident Assadullah Dawar. In May, Mehsud's deputy was killed by a drone nearby. Last month, one of his top deputies was captured in Afghanistan.