Pakistan Taliban Appoint Interim Chief

Islamabad, Nov 4, IRNA – Pakistan Taliban have appointed an interim leader while the new leader will be appointed in the coming days, the group’s spokesman said. Asmatullah Shaheen Bitani was appointed after the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Chief Hakimullah Mehsud was killed in a US drone strike on Friday. Bitani will run affairs of the TTP unless a new chief is appointed, Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shaid said. Taliban had earlier reported Khan Syed alias Sajna had been appointed as the new TTP chief. However, Taliban leader, Azam Tariq later denied reports. Bitani had headed the Taliban central council./end