SARAROGHA, Pakistan: The Pakistani Taliban's new leader met with reporters in the country's tribal areas for the first time since winning control of the militants and vowed to retaliate against the US and Pakistan for drone attacks along the Afghan border.

The appearance by Hakimullah Mehsud ended any speculation that he was killed in a leadership battle within the militant group sparked by the August slaying of his predecessor, Baitullah Mehsud, in a missile strike.

Mehsud, flanked by other Taliban commanders in a show of unity, spoke to a small group of reporters on Sunday - on condition the interview only be published yesterday.