Pakistani Taliban Chief Hakimullah Mehsud was among six militants killed in a US drone strike in the North Waziristan tribal region. A high-ranking Taliban official said this to the BBC on Friday. However, neither Pakistan nor the United States has confirmed the news.

Pakistani media reported that besides Mehsud, his uncle and two bodyguards were killed in a CIA-operated spy plane operation in Danday Darpakhel area of North Waziristan.

The news of Mehsud's killing came just hours after Pakistani government said; it is hoping to hold peace talks with Taliban leaders.