Pak puts Rs 50 mn bounty on Mehsud's head

Pakistan on Sunday announced Rs 50 million reward on the head of the country's Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud, as security forces step up attacks on his stronghold South Waziristan.

Besides Mehsud, a bounty has also been placed on the heads of eleven "most-wanted persons," according to advertisements published in newspapers.

After over six weeks of military operations in the North West Frontier Province and Swat, the Pakistani Army has turned to South Waziristan, the stonghold of Mehsud, who is also suspected to be behind the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

While a reward of Rs 50 million has been announced for the arrest of Mehsud, dead or alive, Rs 15 million has been set for information on Molvi Faqir from Bajaur and Rs 10 million each on five others from Mohmand Agency, Darra Adamkhel and South Waziristan.

A head money of five million has also been offered on another five wanted militants from Bajaur, Kurram Agency and Darra Adamkhel.

The government has also released exclusive telephone numbers for passing on information that might lead to the arrest of the wanted persons 'dead or alive', Geo TV said.

Mehsud already has a US $5 million bounty on his head offered by the US.