Pak Army readying fresh 'operational plans' against Mehsud following rival's assassination

Islamabad, June 25 (ANI): The Pakistan military is preparing new 'operational plans' against the Tehreek-e-Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud.

Sources privy to the military said that the plan against the Taliban chief had to be 'readjusted' after the death of Mehsud's rival commander Qari Zainuddin.

Military officials rejected the notion that Zainuddin's death, just before an all out operation against the Taliban warlord, had given a 'setback' to the government's aim, and said such actions are not planned 'around single individuals'.

"The killing of the anti-Mehsud commander had 'come at the wrong time' but was not a major cause of concern," The Daily Times quoted a military official, who refused to be identified, as saying.

However, experts believe that by failing to protect Zainuddin's life, the state stood humiliated.

"The government delayed the investment in Zainuddin and the result is that today the state stands humiliated as it could not protect its man against likely threats from Mehsud," they opined. (ANI)