Taliban threaten top politicians

MAMOUZAI (AFP) - A Pakistani Taliban commander has vowed to increase attacks on NATO and US forces in Afghanistan and block their supply lines through Pakistan’s tribal areas.
Militant leader Hakeemullah also threatened to target President Asif Ali Zardari and his allies, as well as saying his fighters would attack Pakistan army troops because they continue to conduct operations against his followers.
Hakeemullah is a lieutenant of Baitullah Mehsud, the leader of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan who was accused by the previous government and US intelligence of masterminding the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto last year.
“We will increase attacks on the NATO and US forces based in Afghanistan and the supply of goods from Pakistan to these forces,” Hakeemullah told reporters taken on a rare trip to the group’s stronghold in Aurakzai tribal region.
The journalists were escorted from the city of Peshawar to the rebels’ hideout on Tuesday, travelling more than eight hours to meet the Taliban leader at Mamouzai in country’s lawless northwest.