Leader opposed to Pakistan Taliban chief killed

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2009

PESHAWAR (AFP) — The leader of a tribal faction opposed to feared Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud has been shot dead in the northwestern town of Dera Ismail Khan, police have said.

Qari Zainuddin, who recently said he would support a planned military operation against Mehsud, was in his office when a man opened fire on him, local police official Salah-ud-din Khan told AFP.

"Zainuddin was immediately shifted to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries," he said, adding that one of the tribal leader's accomplices was also injured in the shooting.

Khan said Zainuddin was pronounced dead by doctors when his body reached the hospital in Dera Ismail Khan.

Another local police official Ghulam Rabbani also confirmed the incident, saying "Qari Zainuddin has been assassinated".

© 2009 AFP