A report by the Press Trust of India cited sources affirming that Hussain was killed on January 14, 2010, in the American drone airstrike in North Waziristan that reportedly killed Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud;[14] however, Hussain apparently spoke with local media by telephone to deny Mehsud's death.[15] The News International later reported that "top Pakistani and US sources" confirmed Hussain's death in the same drone strike against Mehsud.[16] However, he once again appeared in an interview, speaking with Rediff.com in March 2010, and again denying Mehsud's death.[17]