Makin, Pakistan

Makin or Makeen is a small town in South Waziristan, Pakistan, located on the Y-junction between Sararogha and Wana, just south of Razmak in North Waziristan. It is mainly populated by members of the Mehsud tribe. The Pakistani military has called it "the nerve center" of the Pakistani Taliban. Just north of Makin is the village of China, and the Taliban stronghold of Ladha is a few kilometers to the south.The Jan Alam Hospital is located in Makin's bazaar. The bazaar is the commercial hub of the Mehsud tribe. As of 2005, tribesmen entering Makin bazaar had to deposit weapons at a checkpoint, to be returned on departure.The Makin Tehsil has seven middle schools and two high schools .Recent historyMakin was the base of Baitullah Mehsud, the former leader of Tehrik-i-Taliban until his death in an August 2009 drone attack. In 2007, Baitullah Mehsud was at "Anwar Shah’s house" in Makin when he allegedly claimed responsibility for the assassination of Benazir Bhutto during an intercepted phone call.A February 2009 United States drone attack struck three compounds, allegedly used by Baitullah Mehsud. Two vehicles were destroyed in a March 2009 drone strike. A June 2009 airstrike aimed at Baitullah Mehsud and his deputy Qari Hussain killed 60 people in Makin. In August 2009, a drone attack destroyed the house of Mehsud's father-in-law. Makin has also been involved in factional fighting between rival Taliban groups and tribal disputes, including a shootout after Mehsud's death.