Pakistani Taliban chief's rival shot dead in NW Pakistan

Qari Zainuddin, a rival to Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud, was shot dead Tuesday morning in the northwestern Pakistani town of Dera Ismail Khan, according to local TV reports.

The private Dawn TV quoted Zainuddin's family sources as saying that he was shot dead in a shooting incident in his office and his aide was injured.

Zainuddin, a militant commander, has recently given statements to the media opposing Mehsud.

Salahuddin, superintendent of police in the city, confirmed that Zainuddin had been "shot dead".

It was not clear who was behind the killing, he said.