US admits Pak role in Baitullah’s killing

WASHINGTON : US National Security Adisor James Jones Sunday said evidence suggests Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud is dead, noting that his ouster and dissension within the Taliban represents an important moment in the struggle against violent extremism in Pakistan. Jones described the US relationship with Pakistan as very positive and credited Islamabad for major blow to the Taliban, which he described as a "positive indication that things are turning for the better" in Pakistan. "We think so. The Pakistani government believes that he is (killed) and all evidence that we have suggests that. But there are reports from the Mehsud organization that he is not, but we think it looks like he is," he told FOX News Sunday when asked if the feared militant is dead. The retired Marines general said the dissension in the Taliban ranks is "not a bad thing for us" but said he could not confirm at the moment the death of one or both top contenders for Pakistani Taliban leadership. "It goes to show that I think the strategy that we are engaged with Pakistan is actually having some effect, and that is good." Questioned what does the development say about President Barack Obama's fight against extremism, Jones praised Islamabad's anti-terrorism efforts and said the US and Pakistan are moving in the right direction. "I think in terms of Pakistan, it means that the Pakistani government and the army is and our relationship with the army are having a good effect and I think that we are moving in the right direction. "Mehsud was a very bad individual, he was responsible for a lot of violence, a lot of innocnent pepople losing their lives and I think that if there is dissenion in their (Taliban) ranks and if, in fact, he is - as we think - is dead this is a positive indication that in Pakistan things are turning for the better." Jones also cited Pakistan's effective offensive against the Taliban in Swat valley region while also showing sensitivity for the displaced people and said the two countries have a growing relationship. "We have a growing relationship in terms of intelligence sharing and I think the relationships between the two countries is certainly very positive right now. And also, the reltionship with Afghanistan, dont forget that this is a theater of wider engagement.