Officials: US drone kills Pakistani Taliban leader

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — A U.S. drone strike killed the leader of the Pakistani Taliban today, U.S. and Pakistani officials said, in a report that if confirmed would be a major blow to the group that comes just a day after the government said it started peace talks with the militants.

Hakimullah Mehsud, who is also believed to be behind a failed car bombing in New York's Times Square in 2010 as well as brazen attacks inside Pakistan, was widely reported to have been killed in 2010, but later resurfaced. The tribal areas where the drone attacks occur are dangerous, making it difficult for journalists to independently confirm information.

The strike also killed four other suspected militants, according to two Pakistani intelligence officials.

A senior U.S. intelligence official confirmed the strike overnight, saying the U.S. received positive confirmation this morning that he had been killed.

The CIA and the White House declined to comment on the reported death.