Video appears to show Pakistan Taliban chief alive, refuting claims he died in missile strike

Video appears to show Pakistan Taliban chief alive

ISLAMABAD — A new video from the Pakistani Taliban appears to show its leader alive, refuting claims he died in a missile strike.

The video of Hakimullah Mehsud was broadcast on Pakistani television Monday and picked up by IntelCenter, a group that monitors militant media.

Mehsud, speaking Pashto, assures viewers he was not killed in a missile strike or any other way.

He says he is speaking on April 4 of this year. He also promises attacks on U.S. cities.

The video surfaced after a weekend car bomb attempt in New York City, though U.S. officials have played down any potential Taliban role.

U.S. and Pakistani officials had been confident until recently that a January missile strike killed Mehsud.