Baitullah Mehsud

Guide Note

Baitullah Mehsud is a tribal leader in the Waziristan region of Pakistan. He is known to have worked with and aided both the Taliban and Al Qaeda, but his primary objective is defending tribal autonomy and territory.

Bhutto Assassination Link

On December 28, 2007, Pakistani intelligence claimed to have strong evidence linking Mehsud to the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. The statement was based on the transcript of an intercepted phone call between Baitullah Mehsud and Maulvi Sahib discussing the bomb attack. Mehsud has repeatedly denied involvement, calling Benazir Bhutto's death "a tragedy." Despite this, President Pervez Musharraf and the United States, citing CIA intelligence reports, maintain that Mehsud was responsible.

Peace Agreement

On April 25, 2008 the Pakistani government announced it was close to concluding a peace deal with Mehsud. One of the most notorious leaders of tribal militias in Waziristan, a peace deal with Mehsud would be a historic development in the Waziristan Conflict that has plagued Pakistan for more than a decade.

Fast Facts

1. Tribal militia leader in Waziristan, Pakistan
2. Known links to the Taliban and Al Qaeda
3. Thought to command more than 20,000 militants
4. May be responsible for the prior attacks on Bhutto in October
5. Was paid $20 million in 2005 to declare a cease-fire with Pakistan
6. Under five feet tall

• Also try: Waziristan Conflict | Bhutto Assassinated | Taliban | Al Qaeda | Bhutto Bombs

The Mahalo Top 7

1. Reuters: Pakistan Closing in on Pact with Militant's Tribe (April 25, 2008)
2. Fox News: Transcript: Alleged Al Qaeda Conversation Regarding Bhutto Killing (September 28, 2007)
3. Wikipedia: Baitullah Mehsud
4. BBC News: Profile: Baitullah Mehsud
5. NPR: Did Baitullah Mehsud Kill Benazir Bhutto? (January 16, 2008)
6. The Jamestown Foundation: Baitullah Mehsud—The Taliban’s New Leader in Pakistan (January 8, 2008)
7. YouTube Video: Experts Say Baitullah Mehsud Had Bhutto Killed (Time: 1:41)

Baitullah Mehsud News

• Google News: Baitullah Mehsud
• Daily Times (Pakistan): Govt, Army Hail Truce Offer by Mehsud (April 25, 2008)
• Dawn (Pakistan): Court Orders Confiscation of Mehsud’s Property (April 22, 2008)
• CNN: CIA agrees with Pakistan on who killed Bhutto
• AFP: Pakistan says sunroof, not bomb or bullets, killed Bhutto (December 28, 2007)
• BBC News: Bhutto killing blamed on al-Qaeda (December 28, 2007)
• TimesOnline: Main suspects are warlords and security forces (December 28, 2007)
• The Press Association: Chaos erupts after Bhutto is buried (December 28, 2007)
• VOA News: Pakistani Government Blames Al-Qaida for Bhutto Assassination (December 28, 2007)
• Newsweek: Baitullah Mehsud articles

Baitullah Mehsud Background

• The Crime Library: Who is Baitullah Mehsud?
• The Jamestown Foundation: Baitullah Mehsud: South Waziristan's Unofficial Amir (2006)
• BBC News: Pakistan Taleban vow more violence (January 29, 2007)
• BBC News: Pakistan pays tribe al-Qaeda debt (2005)
• Rediff News: Why is the Pakistan army scared of this man? (2005)

Baitullah Mehsud Blogs and Commentaries

• Wired: Threat Level: In a Prescient Interview, Bhutto Fingered Assassination Suspects (December 27, 2007)
  • Bhutto had discussed the possibility that she would be assassinated with David Frost on British television in November. She had mentioned "Afghanistan warlord Baitullah Mehsud" by name.
• Wired: Danger Room: Who Killed Benazir? (December 28, 2007)
• Weekly Standard: Bhutto Assassinated: Who did it? (December 27, 2007)
• Pakistan Policy Blog: Baitullah Mehsud: Militants Unite As Taliban Movement of Pakistan (December 14, 2007)
  • In an interview with the BBC, Mehsud claimed to have organized an assortment of militant groups into a "Taliban Movement of Pakistan," or Tahreek-e Taliban-e Pakistan.
• Huffington Post: Behind Bhutto's Assassination (December 27, 2007)
• Daily Times: Editorial: Who threatens Ms. Bhutto? (October 18, 2007)
  • Considering his close ties to both the Taliban and Al Qaeda, and Bhutto's own focus on him as a threat in the last months of her life, it is possible that Mehsud works as an agent for Osama Bin Laden.
• Google Blog Search: Baitullah Mehsud

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