The paper said initial reports suggested only Mehsud's wife and two fighters had been killed, but suspicions were raised when a large funeral was held the next day.

Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik said Saturday Mehsud, his wife and seven guards were killed. But he added, 'We're still waiting for material evidence to confirm it totally.'

Mehsud was supported by the Pakistani army and intelligence service ISI, a Pakistani military analyst told the paper.

'He was originally supported by the military and ISI, but he had begun to bite the hand that fed him,' said analyst Ayesha Siddiqa.

'His death is a very powerful signal to them all.'