Hakimullah Mehsud.—File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Hakimullah Mehsud, the top militant commander of defunct Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), is still alive and safe in some unknown location of North Waziristan, independent sources told DawnNews on Friday.

“Hakimullah is well and safe in North Waziristan… the news related to his killing in the drone attack carried out by the US military is incorrect,” an official source told this reporter.

The claim was also verified from at least two other independent sources.

The sources claimed that Hakimullah has taken a number of measures to ensure his safety and secrecy, and that he had stopped using electronic communication equipment, such as wireless sets, for the same reason.

Almost a week ago, reports quoting unknown sources mentioned intercepted radio communications between Taliban militants detailing how Hakimullah was killed.

In February 2011 similar media reports had claimed the killing of the TTP chief, however later incidents proved otherwise.

Opinion

Editorial

AJK violence
Updated 16 Jul, 2026

AJK violence

Violent confrontations have claimed some 30 lives of both security personnel and protesters since last month.
Deadly lapses
16 Jul, 2026

Deadly lapses

PAKISTAN has investigated too many HIV outbreaks over the past decade to still be surprised by the causes. The ...
Doomed tax initiative
16 Jul, 2026

Doomed tax initiative

THE FBR’s draft simplified tax regime for small shopkeepers is the latest in a long line of attempts to persuade...
Beyond declarations
Updated 15 Jul, 2026

Beyond declarations

States that fail to harness the talents of half their population limit their own growth and resilience.
A timely authority
15 Jul, 2026

A timely authority

EVERY summer now seems to bring fresh warnings from Pakistan’s northern mountains. This week was no different, ...
India voter purge
15 Jul, 2026

India voter purge

AFTER over 12 years of BJP rule, minorities in India — particularly its Muslims — face fascist thuggery at the...