Pakistani Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud has sucummed to injuries sustained in a massive US drone attack earlier this month, the state-run television reported today.

Private television station AAJ showed a video of the bomber, speaking in English but hardly audible, with Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud beside him.

Pakistani troops fought pitched battles with militants as they sought to gain control of Tehrik-e-Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud's hometown in South Waziristan.

The Pakistan Taliban have appointed Hakimullah Mehsud as the successor to their feared leader believed to have been killed in a US missile strike.