A drone strike has killed a commander of the deadly Haqqani network in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Hangu district, security sources said Tuesday.

Haqqani network leader Abubakar and his partner were killed when a drone fired two missiles at his house in Speen Tal area of Hangu on Monday night.

The drone strike "completely destroyed" the suspected militant's house, security sources said.

Examine: 'Haqqani network has moved to Afghanistan'

Local residents said the drone was strafing above the area for a while, before it destroyed the targeted compound. The area is such that it borders Orakzai, Kurram and North Waziristan Agencies.

There was no immediate confirmation of the drone strike from government officials.

The drone attack comes days after Afghan security officials accused the Haqqani network and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence of being behind the suicide truck bombing in Kabul on May 31 that killed at least 150 people. The allegation was strongly rejected by the Pakistan government at all levels.

Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Aizaz Chaudhry had said earlier this month that the Haqqani network has moved to Afghanistan and Afghan officials should focus on tackling them within their territory instead of blaming Pakistan,

The Haqqani network was founded by Afghan warlord Jalaluddin Haqqani and is now being run by his son Sirajuddin. The group has been blamed for some of the most heinous attacks on US-led foreign forces in Afghanistan. It was designated as a terrorist organisation by the United States in September 2012.

Opinion

Losing the plot

Losing the plot

It was the likes of Ahluwalia who recognised that the economic strategy would have to change, away from ‘import substitution’...

Editorial

Canal unrest
03 Apr, 2025

Canal unrest

AS unrest in Sindh increases over the Cholistan canal plan, the PPP seems unclear on how to cool public sentiments....
Iran-US tension
03 Apr, 2025

Iran-US tension

THE Trump administration’s threats aimed at Iran do not bode well for global peace, and unless Washington changes...
Flights to history
03 Apr, 2025

Flights to history

MOHENJODARO could have been the forgotten gold we desperately need. Instead, this 5,000-year-old well of antiquity ...
Eid amidst crises
Updated 31 Mar, 2025

Eid amidst crises

Until the Muslim world takes practical steps to end these atrocities, these besieged populations will see no joy.
Women’s rights
Updated 01 Apr, 2025

Women’s rights

Such judgements, and others directly impacting women’s rights should be given more airtime in media.
Not helping
Updated 02 Apr, 2025

Not helping

If it's committed to peace in Balochistan, the state must draw a line between militancy and legitimate protest.