Mehsud's death a victory for safety and security of the region

''We are pretty sure (of the death of Baitullah Mehsud) and obviously that is a victory for safety and security in the region," White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton told reporters abroad Air Force One, while travelling with US President Barack Obama to Guadalajara, Mexico.

Terming Mehsud "a murderous thug" he said his elimination was a step forward for the safety of folks in that region and in our country.

Burton said this also shows that Pakistan has made progress in moving to root out and eliminate extremist elements in their country. "We are going to continue to partner with them to keep doing just that."

Earlier, the National Security Advisor, General (Retd) James Jones, in separate interviews to the Fox News and the CBS news, had said he believes that Baitullah Mehsud was dead.

"The Pakistani government has believed - believes that he is, and all evidence that we have suggests that. But there are reports from the Mehsud's organization that he's not. But we think - we think that it looks like he is (dead)," he said.