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Captured Pakistan Taliban commander dies in jail

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-09-20 14:37

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's army says a Taliban commander known for beheading opponents has died in custody from wounds sustained during his capture last week.

The army media center says Sher Muhammad Qasab died in custody Sunday. Qasab's three sons were killed in the gunbattle with security forces in the Swat Valley when he was arrested.

Qasab is an Urdu-language word meaning "butcher." He was given the title because of his ruthlessness toward enemies. He had a $121,000 bounty on his head.

The arrest was the third from the army's list of the 10 most-wanted Swat militants.

The Pakistan Taliban has been on the run after being cleared from the scenic valley and surrounding areas in July. Their leader Baitullah Mehsud was killed in an August 5 CIA missile strike.