How a militant leader used a book to claim responsibility for a political assassination
In short: Noor Wali Mehsud, the current leader of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, rose from a local judge to the head of a militant organization. In a 2017 book, he unexpectedly confessed to his group's role in the 2007 killing of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, detailing the operation's planning and execution.
Born in 1978 in South Waziristan, Noor Wali Mehsud received a traditional religious education before joining militant efforts in Afghanistan during the late 1990s. After the 2001 United States invasion of Afghanistan, he returned to Pakistan, where he helped shelter fleeing fighters. He eventually rose through the ranks of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), serving as a judge and later leading the group's Karachi chapter, where he oversaw extortion and kidnapping operations to fund the organization.
In 2018, Mehsud became the fourth emir of the TTP following the death of his predecessor in a drone strike. At the time, the group was struggling with internal divisions and a loss of territory. Under his leadership, the TTP shifted its strategy, attempting to distance itself from the extreme tactics of groups like Daesh–Khorasan by focusing attacks on security personnel rather than civilians. Despite these efforts, he remains a designated terrorist by the United Nations, the United States, and Pakistan.
Mehsud is perhaps most notable for his 2017 book, which provided a detailed account of the TTP's history and its opposition to foreign influence. Within its pages, he explicitly claimed credit for the 2007 assassination of Benazir Bhutto, a move that contradicted earlier official denials by the group. He described the roles of specific bombers and alleged that the attack was motivated by the belief that Bhutto intended to collaborate with the United States against militant forces.
The leader has been the subject of numerous reports of his death, including claims in 2021 and 2025. In each instance, the TTP has countered these reports with media releases, such as video footage or voice notes, to prove he is still alive. Most recently, in October 2025, the group released a video to confirm his survival following an airstrike in Kabul, maintaining his position as the central figure of the organization.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Noor Wali Mehsud
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/culture-noor-wali-mehsud.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in US culture · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics
