U.S. Drone Strike Kills Pakistan Taliban Number Two

Senior Taliban: Wali-ur-Rehman, pictured flanked by two masked members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban, was said to have been poised to take over leadership of the militants. Daily Mail

U.S. Drone Kills Pakistan Taliban Number Two: Security Officials -- Reuters

(Reuters) - A U.S. drone strike killed the number two of the Pakistani Taliban in the North Waziristan region on Wednesday, three security officials said, in what would be a major blow in the fight against militancy.

The drone strike killed seven people, Pakistani security officials said, including Taliban deputy commander Wali-ur-Rehman, in the first such attack since a May 11 general election in which the use of the unmanned aircraft was a major issue.

Wali-ur-Rehman had been poised to succeed Hakimullah Mehsud as leader of the Pakistani Taliban, a senior army official based in the South Waziristan region, had said in December.

"This is a huge blow to militants and a win in the fight against insurgents," one security official told Reuters, declining further comment.

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More News On A U.S. Drone Strike Killing Pakistan Taliban Number Two

Pakistan Taliban's second in command 'one of seven people killed by US drone strike' -- Daily Mail
Drone kills top Pakistani militant as US resumes drone attacks -- Christian Science Monitor
Taliban's No. 2 in Pakistan reportedly killed in American drone strike -- FOX News/AP
Senior Taliban militants killed by US drone strike in Pakistan -- The Guardian
Sources: Top militant killed in Pakistan drone strike -- CNN
US drone strike kills deputy leader of Pakistan Taliban -- Financial Times
US Drone Strike Kills at least Six in Pakistan -- Voice of America
US launches first drone strike in Pakistan in 6 weeks -- Long War Journal
New Drone Strike Undercuts Obama’s Promises on Robot War -- Spencer Ackerman, Danger Room