Benazir Bhutto Assassination 2007
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Sources: Man blamed for Bhutto killing is dead
(CNN) -- The leader of Pakistan's Taliban, Baitullah Mehsud, is dead from kidney failure, sources told CNN.
The Pakistan government blamed Mehsud for the December 27, 2007, assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
An unnamed Islamabad-based source with connections within the Mehsud tribe in South Waziristan said Mehsud died about 1 a.m. Wednesday. Military officials in the field confirmed to CNN that Mehsud had died.
Geo Television of Pakistan and other local stations also reported his death.
But some reports also had the Taliban denying Mehsud's death.
Earlier reports said the leader of the Taliban in Pakistan was ill and was expected to die within a day. Mehsud is said to have succumbed to kidney failure and was believed to be about 34 years old.
Mehsud denied involvement in Bhutto's assassination.
"We don't strike women," he said through a spokesman.
In his first television interview, conducted by Al-Jazeera last year, Mehsud said his ultimate aim was to attack New York and London, England.
In January, Spanish police said a cell of Pakistanis -- allegedly dispatched by Mehsud -- arrested in Barcelona was planning suicide operations in Spain and possibly elsewhere in Europe. (CNN) -- The leader of Pakistan's Taliban, Baitullah Mehsud, is dead from kidney failure, sources told CNN. ... more -
New unreleased video of Benazir Bhutto murder
A rare unreleased video of the murder of Benazir Bhutto in the last few seconds before the shooting.
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Investigator details Taliban chief's alleged role in Bhutto's death
Pakistani Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud paid out more than $7,000, including money to purchase suicide jackets, for the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the chief Pakistani investigator said Sunday.
Four suspects in custody said Mehsud also planned the December 27 attack, Chaudhry Abdul Majeed told reporters.
Mehsud, who has ties to al Qaeda, remains at large.
Majeed said two of the four men in custody last week confessed before a Pakistani judge that they had participated in the plot.
Many others who helped plan the attack "have yet to be arrested," Majeed said.
A day after Bhutto's death, Pakistan's government announced that Mehsud was behind the attack. The CIA later reached the same conclusion.
But two recent nationwide polls in Pakistan found a majority of Pakistanis believe President Pervez Musharraf's government had a role in her killing. Pakistani Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud paid out more than $7,000, including money to purchase suicide jackets, for the assassina... more -
Bhutto detainees admit they were involved
Following their arrest last week in connection with the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the two detainees have admitted their parts in the plans that led up to the death of the ex-Pakistan prime minister according to an Interior Ministry spokesman that spoke to CNN.
The two men, who have now been identified as Hasnain Gul and Rafaqat are believed to be part of a five-man team behind the former prime minister's assassination, with two of those suspects still at large. Following their arrest last week in connection with the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the two detainees have admitted their parts i... more -
Head injury killed Bhutto, report said to find
Just as predicted, Scotland Yard was sent to Pakistan so as to whitewash Musharraf. They state that she was killed when hitting her head following the blast of the bomb, yet there is incontrovertible video evidence that she collapsed at the moment she was shot at and fell into the car *before* the bomb went off, and that her hair and veil were lifted upwards by the bullets. Disgusting. Just as predicted, Scotland Yard was sent to Pakistan so as to whitewash Musharraf. They state that she was killed when hitting her he... more
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Pakistani militants 'call truce'
The leading militant group in the Pakistani region of South Waziristan has reportedly called a truce and is willing to enter into peace talks. However, not many details have been released regarding the terms of the truce.
The government has not confirmed the truce but interior Minister Hamid Nawaz said the national leadership was ready for a dialogue with the militants. Unofficial talks are underway.
The groups leader, Baitullah Mehsud, has been accused by the government of being behind the murder of Benazir Bhutto. The leading militant group in the Pakistani region of South Waziristan has reportedly called a truce and is willing to enter into peac... more -
Pakistan authorities arrest two in Bhutto murder case
Pakistan investigators have arrested two "very important alleged terrorists" in connection with the murder of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. The suspects are now being interrogated.
A security official hailed the arrests as a "major breakthrough" and echoed the CIA and the Pakistani government's accusations that Baitullah Mehsud, an Al-Qaeda-link militant commander had masterminded the attack, saying:
"It is a major breakthrough. These two men were involved in the assassination and they are from a militant group which is relatively new. Their tentacles are from the tribal region and Baitullah Mehsud."
Mehsud has denied any involvement. Pakistan investigators have arrested two "very important alleged terrorists" in connection with the murder of former Pakista... more -
Dozens killed in Pakistani army assault on Taliban chief's mountain
The Pakistani army have launched an air and ground assault on the mountain stronghold of Baitullah Mehsud, the Taliban chief linked to Benazir Bhutto's assassination. Dozens were killed as 'the battle for control of the lawless region near the Afghan border intensifies,' causing civilians to flee the area.
'Hundreds of soldiers supported by tanks, helicopter gunships and a multi-pronged artillery barrage encircled Mehsud's home territory in South Waziristan, sending refugees fleeing into North West Frontier province, some on foot.' The Pakistani army have launched an air and ground assault on the mountain stronghold of Baitullah Mehsud, the Taliban chief linked to... more -
"Baitullah is not involved in Benazir's assassination in any way"
A Pakistani senator says pro-Taleban rebel leader Baitullah Mehsud was not involved in the murder of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Saleh Shah, an Islamist senator who represents Waziristan, said
"Baitullah is not involved in Benazir's assassination in any way...The army continues to fire at civilian targets, although the militants positions are quite distinct and removed...Baitullah has said himself several times he has no quarrel with the Pakistan army"
The US and Pakistani intelligence remain convinced that Baitullah Mehsud is responsible for Bhutto's assassination, something which has led to more conflict with the Taleban in the north of Pakistan.
In a strange twist you can see the story from both sides of the gun on the BBC website, who are reporting that Baitullah Mehsud is the problem causer leading to the United States and Pakistani's increase of violence or "action" as they prefer to call it, in the region.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7206785.stm A Pakistani senator says pro-Taleban rebel leader Baitullah Mehsud was not involved in the murder of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhu... more -
An arrest is made in the Bhutto case
Pakistani officials have arrested a 15 year old boy in connection with Bhutto's assassination. The boy confessed his involvement but the interrogators are now waiting for a corroborating story from another detainee before accepting his confession.
The boy claims that the assassination was carried out by a team of five who were sent to Rawalpindi by Baitullah Mehsud, a militant leader with strong ties to al Qaeda and an alliance with the Taliban.
A spokesperson for Mehsud, Mohammed Umar, said "It is just government propaganda ... we have already clarified that we are not involved in the attack on Benazir Bhutto."
Is this a propaganda stunt or genuine arrest? Can Musharraf be trusted? Are the links to al Qaueda and the Taliban too politically convenient? As ever, fire up those webcams... Pakistani officials have arrested a 15 year old boy in connection with Bhutto's assassination. The boy confessed his involvement ... more -
CIA: Baitullah Mehsud Was Mastermind Behind Bhutto Assassination
Baitullah Mehud, a Pakistani militant leader currently in hiding with direct ties to Al Qaeda was behind the the assassination of Benazir Bhutto last month, according to the CIA.
"There are powerful reasons to believe that terror networks around Baitullah Mehsud were responsible," said one American intelligence official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
The official said that "different pieces of information" had pointed toward Mr. Mehsud's responsibility, but he would not provide any details.
The conclusion of the CIA is also in agreement with the assertion from the Pakistani government, which claimed shortly after the assassination that Mehsud was responsible. Baitullah Mehud, a Pakistani militant leader currently in hiding with direct ties to Al Qaeda was behind the the assassination of Bena... more -
CIA chief places blame for Bhutto assassination
The CIA has concluded that members of al-Qaeda and allies of Pakistani tribal leader Baitullah Mehsud were responsible for last month's assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, and that they also stand behind a new wave of violence threatening that country's stability, the agency's director, Michael V. Hayden, said in an interview.
Offering the most definitive public assessment by a U.S. intelligence official, Hayden said Bhutto was killed by fighters allied with Mehsud, a tribal leader in northwestern Pakistan, with support from al-Qaeda's terrorist network. That view mirrors the Pakistani government's assertions.
The same alliance between local and international terrorists poses a grave risk to the government of President Pervez Musharraf, a close U.S. ally in the fight against terrorism, Hayden said in 45-minute interview with The Washington Post. "What you see is, I think, a change in the character of what's going on there," he said. "You've got this nexus now that probably was always there in latency but is now active: a nexus between al-Qaeda and various extremist and separatist groups."
Hayden added, "It is clear that their intention is to continue to try to do harm to the Pakistani state as it currently exists."
Days after Bhutto's Dec. 27 assassination in the city of Rawalpindi, Pakistani officials released intercepted communications between Mehsud and his supporters in which the tribal leader praised the killing and, according to the officials, appeared to take credit for it. Pakistani and U.S. officials have declined to comment on the origin of that intercept, but the administration has until now been cautious about publicly embracing the Pakistani assessment.
Widespread suspicion of Musharraf
Many Pakistanis have voiced suspicions that Musharraf's government played a role in Bhutto's assassination, and Bhutto's family has alleged a wide conspiracy involving government officials. Hayden declined to discuss the intelligence behind the CIA's assessment, which is at odds with that view and supports Musharraf's assertions.
"This was done by that network around Baitullah Mehsud. We have no reason to question that," Hayden said. He described the killing as "part of an organized campaign" that has included suicide bombings and other attacks on Pakistani leaders.
Some administration officials outside the agency who deal with Pakistani issues were less conclusive, with one calling the assertion "a very good assumption."
One of the officials said there was no "incontrovertible" evidence to prove or rebut the assessment. The CIA has concluded that members of al-Qaeda and allies of Pakistani tribal leader Baitullah Mehsud were responsible for last month&... more -
Pakistan After Bhutto
An on-the-ground look at Karachi, Pakistan in the aftermath of Benazir Bhutto's assassination.
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Musharraf: Shoot anyone who disrupts vote
This is the logic as I understand it:
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is blaming the assassination of Benazir Bhutto on terrorists intent on disrupting democracy in the country.
Saying there is a "looming threat," he is urging candidates to avoid big rallies, to try and avoid danger and violence.
And, in an effort to make people feel safe as they go to vote, he is saying he'll shoot anyone who is trying to disrupt the vote, aka, the terrorists.
My concern here is how "disrupting the vote" is defined and acted upon by the individual rangers... Seems to me such a directive could become a very slippery slope. This is the logic as I understand it: ... more -
Musharraf Rules Out UN Investigation Into Bhutto Assassination
Pervez Musharraf has told a French newspaper that he will not consider allowing a UN investigation into Benazir Bhutto's assassination. He made it clear that Pakistan had its own systems in place to investigate the murder and that they were receiving assistance from the UK.
Bilawal Bhutto has said that the Pakistani intelligence lacks the "necessary transparency" to be conducted in a proper fashion and has repeatedly called for a full UN investigation. Pervez Musharraf has told a French newspaper that he will not consider allowing a UN investigation into Benazir Bhutto's assassin... more -
John Berlin: Why the US Wants the Collapse of Pakistan
Excerpt:
All in all, the White House needs terrorism as its blanket excuse for intervention. Since ISI is both strongly CIA-influenced, as well as riddled with al-Qa'ida, it is not only that the Bhutto assassination could not plausibly have been organized without the ISI, it is also ISI which carried out American orders.
If the plan works, the weakening or even collapse of the state of Pakistan will create a new battlefield badly needed by the White House. The "War on Terror" (as the War on Islam is often termed), like most wars, needs expansion or it collapses. If you project an "Enemy", you also need the "Enemy" to be successful at times.
Don't be surprised if al-Qa'ida suddenly has nuclear weapons.
Without success for the Enemy, you may no longer be sufficiently able to instill fear in the people and have them follow you.
The White House needs the destabilization of Pakistan to continue the "War on Terror". Ms Bhutto's execution is one big step towards that goal. Excerpt: ... more -
Your Bhutto webcams made it Current TV.
Your responses and thoughts about Bhutto's assassination aired in early January 2008.
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Bhutto's Son Addresses the World
"This is a new experience for me, and I'm a bit nervous."
The political career of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari the 19-year-old chairman of the Pakistan People's Party has begun with a press conference in London where he laid out his plan to finish his degree at Oxford and then enter politics. He faced questions about his ability to lead the PPI with such little experience and was pushed about the legitimacy of being named head of the party. According to this report, "what was clear, both in Bhutto Zardari's words and unsure delivery, is that this would-be savior of a Muslim nuclear state on the verge of disintegration is exactly what he appears to be: a teenager nowhere near ready to lead a student union, let alone a country."
He certainly has some big shoes to fill. Do you think he's the right man for the job? "This is a new experience for me, and I'm a bit nervous." ... more -
British Detectives Meet With Musharraf
Pakistan's President Musharraf reportedly told British forensic experts on Tuesday they'll have a free hand in investigating the circumstances surrounding the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.
The pledge contrasts with the government's position last week, when Musharraf told reporters the detectives wouldn't be allowed to go on a 'wild goose chase' and investigate claims that his government was behind the attack.
"The president assured (the investigators) of his full support and said that they were totally free to conduct their probe, and no one will interfere in their affairs," Interior Ministry spokesman Javed Iqbal Cheema said.
However, Bhutto's son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, told reporters in London that only a U.N. investigation into her death would satisfy him and referred to the fact that just hours after the attack, firefighters with high-pressure hoses washed down the scene, a move that Musharraf has since called a mistake - (See below for the footage).
"We do not believe that an investigation under the authority of the Pakistani government has the necessary transparency," said the 19-year-old, who was chosen chairman of his mother's party after her death. "Already so much forensic evidence has been destroyed." Pakistan's President Musharraf reportedly told British forensic experts on Tuesday they'll have a free hand in investigating... more -
Will We Ever Know The Truth About Who Killed Bhutto?
The police seem no closer to finding her killer, and like any good mystery, there is no shortage of conspiracy theories to fill the void of factual information. Here's a good article that sums up what is known for certain, what is conspiracy, and why her assassination will end up alongside other A-list mystery assassinations like John F. Kennedy. The two main reasons? "One is that, as with JFK, there are many groups or individuals who may have benefited from Ms Bhutto's removal from the political scene... and the number of changing statements by the government and witnesses, and the resultant belief that someone is involved in a cover-up." The police seem no closer to finding her killer, and like any good mystery, there is no shortage of conspiracy theories to fill the vo... more
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Benazir Bhutto Assassination 2007
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Benazir Bhutto Assassination 2007
