Haqqani, Al Qaeda men died in drone attack

Published
17

PESHAWAR, July 6: A ‘commander’ of the Haqqani network and an Al Qaeda operative were among the 17 people killed in drone strike in North Waziristan earlier this week, according to official sources.

They said those killed in the strike in Serai Darpakhel area near Miramshah Bazaar included Mullah Akhtar Zadran, a ‘commander’ of the Haqqani network, and Abu Saif Al-Jazeri, an operative of Al Qaeda.

Also killed in the strike are said to be two Punjabi militant ‘commanders’ — Rana Ashraf and Naveed Butt. The other 13 victims were ‘foot soldiers’, the sources said.

However, there was no independent confirmation of the claim.

Local people are never allowed to go near the scene of a drone strike, which is immediately cordoned off by militants to retrieve the dead and wounded. Government officials rely on local contacts and radio intercepts to figure out the identities of the victims.

Editorial

Blue wave
05 Nov, 2026

Blue wave

THE politics of toxicity and confrontation at home and abroad have led to a severe setback for American President...
New LPG policy
05 Nov, 2026

New LPG policy

EACH winter, millions of working-class households across the country face the same ordeal. LPG, long considered the...
Polio’s other victims
05 Nov, 2026

Polio’s other victims

FOR decades, Pakistan has vowed to eradicate polio. Billions have been spent on logistics and awareness drives. Yet...
Electoral reform
Updated 04 Nov, 2026

Electoral reform

The real problem is the gulf between the statute book and what happens on polling day, not the laws.
Competing demands
04 Nov, 2026

Competing demands

THE climate crisis is becoming harder to confront as the world develops new ways to consume scarce resources. At an...
Belated meeting
Updated 04 Nov, 2026

Belated meeting

Whether it is Imran Khan, his family members, or other incarcerated political leaders and activists, the state should not deny them their rights.