ISLAMABAD, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- The reported death of Pakistan Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud in a U.S. drone attack will deal a big blow to the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as its division in splinter groups seems imminent, the local newspaper The News reported Saturday.

    "Although a meeting of the TTP Shura (council) is being held today (Friday) to appoint the new chief of the outfit with Hakimullah Mehsud, Asmatullah Mehsud, Mufti Waliur Rehman and Maulvi Faqir Muhammad being tipped as possible candidates for the top position. There are few chances of the TTP remaining united after the death of Baitullah," a source in the militant group told The News over telephone asking for anonymity.

    The source said the outlawed TTP now was facing a revolt within itself and currently its commanders were facing the biggest problem of maintaining unity in their rank and file. He claimed that the Taliban movement of Afghanistan also wanted the man of its choice appointed as the head of the TTP.

    The source said 28-year-old Hakimullah Mehsud, a cousin of Baitullah, had been responsible for provision of logistics for attacks on the U.S. and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) troops in Afghanistan as well as suicide bombings inside Pakistan.

    Hakimullah, however, was reported that already faces bitter opposition within the outfit.

    "Maulvi Faqir Muhammad, who has been serving as deputy of the slain TTP chief, and his supporters have stepped up their efforts for his appointment as the head of the outfit," said Azmatullah, alocal commander of the TTP, while talking to The News via telephone.

    Pakistan's most wanted militant commander, Baitullah Mehsud, was reportedly killed along with his wife and bodyguards by U.S. missile attack on Wednesday.

    The sources said Baitullah was buried late on Wednesday night in Nargasi village of northwest Pakistan's South Waziristan tribalagency. The militants cordoned off the area immediately after the deadly attack and nobody was allowed to enter or leave the Nargasivillage.

Special Report: Pakistani Situation