PESHAWAR, Feb 4: An Al Qaeda-linked militant killed during an attack on security forces in central Kurram has been identified as Aslanov Zaur, a national of Azerbaijan.

He was among the six foreign militants killed between the night of Jan 31 and Feb 1 in the Jogi area. Eight security men and 20 militants were killed in the clash.

A passport, some documents and photographs recovered from the deceased by the security forces revealed that Aslanov was a key ‘commander’ and instrumental in attacks on security forces in Fata.

The passport (3503893), issued in the Azeri capital of Baku, shows Aslanov was born on Sept 25, 1981 and hailed from Sumaqyit city near the Caspian Sea. The passport bears validity from 02/02/2009 till 2019.

According to the documents, Aslanov was issued a visa by the Iranian Embassy in Baku for three months from March 2, 2009 to May 31, 2009 under the signature of First Secretary Abbas Kashifi Astyani.

Aslanov entered Astar, the capital of Iran’s Gilan province, on March 26, 2009 and then went underground. It is believed he entered Afghanistan and then Pakistan through unfrequented routes.

The security forces also found in his pockets USBs, card-readers, some other devices and an unspecified amount of American, Sudanese and Pakistani currency.

Among his belongings is a drafted document in Azeri language, signed by six people, identified as Veron Abdul Malik Imza, Qabil Edor Adil, Imza Shailder Mahmud, Iktimz, Asadullah, and Ibrahim. A registration certificate issued by Azerbaijan’s Internal Affairs Ministry is also part of the documents.

Scores of photographs are stored in the USB and the card reader showing Aslanov with other militants. These militants appeared to be of Afghan, Uzbek, Tajik, Chechen and Arab origins, indicating his link to the Al Qaeda network. A number of telephone numbers have also been found and authorities are looking into it.