Islamabad , Pakistan ( CNN ) -- Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud is alive and remains in hiding , a spokesman for the group told CNN Thursday . `` Hakimullah Mehsud is alive and he is our chief , '' said spokesman Azim Tariq . `` All the reports regarding his death are propaganda . '' Tariq said Mehsud remains in hiding because he is being targeted by U.S. drone attacks but `` is still in command of the mujahedeen . '' Authorities have been looking into reports that Mehsud died after being wounded last month in a drone attack . One news report , citing local sources and a correspondent , said he died and was buried . But Pakistani and U.S. officials said they have not been able to confirm Mehsud 's status .
Hakimullah Mehsud previously reported dead , buried . He is `` alive and he is our chief , '' Taliban spokesman Azim Tariq says . Tariq : Mehsud remains in hiding because he is being targeted by U.S. drone attacks . The Pakistani government has said it will not negotiate with the militants until they lay down their arms or surrender to Pakistan's military.