For the Pakistani army, who have won in Swat but are fighting a tough battle in Waziristan, the killing of Baitullah Mehsud could be a major turnaround as Mehsud was the binding force for the rebels across region.

With a five million dollar bounty on his head, Mehsud was the most wanted man across Pakistan and Afghanistan. His killing in an American drone attack on Wednesday is a seen as big blow to insurgents in the region.

Mehsud, as the leader of a 13-member grouping of Pakistan militant organisations, had become a key facilitator for Al-Qaida and Afghan Taliban fighters.

Mehsud often used his influence in South Waziristann to provide sanctuary to militants fleeing American forces from Afghanistan.

As American and Pakistani forces intensify their operations against the Taliban in the coming months, the 20,000-odd militants he led so far are bound to miss Mehsud's effective leadership.