Pro-Taliban commander threatens Benazir with suicide attacks

Pro-Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud has threatened to launch suicide attacks on former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

Islamabad, Oct 5 : Pro-Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud has threatened to launch suicide attacks on former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

Mehsud was quoted by FATA Senator Saleh Shah as saying that his bombers are waiting in the wings to "welcome" Bhutto when she returns.

Shah is a close friend of Mehsud and is currently trying to broker a deal between the Mehsuds and the government to secure the release of around 250 abducted soldiers, the Daily Times reported.

"My men will welcome Bhutto on her return. We don't accept President Pervez Musharraf and Bhutto because they only protect the US interest and see things through its glasses. They're only acceptable if they wear the Pakistani glasses," Shah quoted Baitullah as saying.

He said that Mehsud, who had killed three soldiers out of the over 300 hostages kidnapped has threatened to make more executions.

Shah said he was not optimistic the negotiations for the release of the soldiers.

He said Baitullah had asked the government to release 30 of his men, but that was difficult because some of them were being tried in courts.

"When I told Mehsud that his men are in legal custody, he asks what bars Musharraf from going above the law and releasing his men when the President can violate the law and the Constitution for his re-election," Saleh said.

ANI