After weeks of speculation and reports of infighting the Pakistan Taleban have appointed a top militant commander as their new chief to replace Baitullah Mehsud who was killed in a US missile attack.
The appointment Hakimullah Mehsud, the 28-year-old commander known for his ferociousness and believed to have masterminded the bloody attack on Sri Lankan cricket team early this year raised fears of new wave of militant violence in Pakistani cities.
A spokesman for Tehrik-e-Taleban Pakistan, a loose alliance of disparate groups of tribal factions said a 42-member Shura (Council) had elected Mr Hakimullah to succeed Mr Mehsud.
However Taleban leaders refuse to admit that Mr Mehsud has been killed; the spokesman would say only that he was unable to carry out his responsibilities as leader because of failing health.
The Taleban has consistently insisted that Mr Mehsud is still alive while the US and Pakistani officials are almost certain he was killed in a missile strike on August 5.
Analysts said the selection of Mr Hakimullah was an attempt to shore up an organisation reeling from the loss of its leader who had unified various militant elements under the banner of TTP.
But Pakistani intelligence sources said the election of the young militant known for his impetuous behaviour could further accentuate the division in the group which seemed to be already in disarray.
The election of Mr. Hakimullah has not been endorsed by his main rival Wali Ur Rehman, a spokesman of the TTP who was believed to have been injured in a shoot-out in a council meeting called to name the new chief.
Pakistani intelligence sources said the division on the leadership issue could lead to bloody clashes between the rival groups.
Mr Hakimullah commanded three tribal regions and has a reputation as Mr Mehsud’s most ruthless deputy.
He had been considered one of the top contenders to take over. He first appeared in public to journalists in November 2008, when he offered to take reporters on a ride in a US Humvee taken from a supply truck heading to Afghanistan.
Mr Hakimullah has also been said to be behind threats to foreign embassies in Islamabad, and there is a 10 million rupee (Pounds 80000) bounty on his head.
His men have been blamed for attacking US and NATO supply convoys traveling through north-western Pakistan en route to Afghanistan, and he claimed responsibility for the June 9 bombing of the Pearl Continental hotel in Peshawar, and the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore earlier this year.
He had also threatened suicide bombings in Pakistani cities in retaliation for a recent army offensive in the Swat Valley, which has been winding down in recent weeks.
Rehman Malik, the Interior Minister said the government had received intelligence reports about Mr Hakimullah’s appointment "as the chief terrorist"; but that there was no official confirmation.
Meanwhile, the Taleban have detained four relatives of the slain leader on suspicion of tipping off authorities about his whereabouts. A senior intelligence official said Ikramamuddin, Mr. Mehsud’s father-in-law, was among those detained by the militants for questioning.
They were arrested two days ago and held by Taleban at an undisclosed place.
Mr Mehsud was killed while being treated with an intravenous drip at the house of Ikramauddin, the father of his second wife who was also killed in the strike.
Security officials said their detention could be a part of power struggle within the group. Earlier the Taleban executed a driver of Mr Mehsud and a paramedic on the suspicion of spying for the government.