Passport of Aslamov Zaur.—DawnNews photo

PESHAWAR: An al-Qaeda-linked militant killed in Kurram Agency earlier this week, has been identified as an Azerbaijani national, documents made available to DawnNews revealed on Saturday.

The militant, identified as Aslanov Zaur, was among the six foreign militants who were killed during clashes with security forces in the Jogi area of Central Kurram Agency on February 1.

A passport, documents and photographs recovered by security forces revealed that Zaur was a key commander and played an instrumental role in attacks on Pakistani security forces in the tribal areas.

The passport (passport number 3503893), issued from the Azerbaijani capital Bakku in February 2009, shows Zaur belonged to the city of Sumaqyit, located at a distance of 31 kilometers from the capital and was born on September 25, 1981.

According to the document, he was issued an Iranian visa by the Iranian embassy in Bakku for three months from March 2, 2009 to May 31, 2009.

The travel documents also reveal that he had entered the city of Astar, the capital of Gilan province of Iran on March 26, 2009 (evident from the entry stamp), and since than had gone underground. He is suspected to have entered Afghanistan and then Pakistan through unfrequented routes.

Security forces also recovered USBs, card readers and other devices from the pockets of the militant, besides Sudanese currency, American dollars and Pakistani currency notes.

The militant’s belongings also show a drafted document in Azeri language, signed by six people.

A registration certificate issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Azerbaijan is also among the documents recovered from the deceased.

Scores of photographs have also been found from the USB and the card reader recovered from his pockets, which show him being photographed with other militants.

A number of telephone numbers have also been recovered from his personal belongings.

Opinion

Editorial

Rushed legislation
Updated 06 Nov, 2024

Rushed legislation

For all its stress on "supremacy of parliament", the ruling coalition has wasted no opportunity to reiterate where its allegiances truly lie.
Jail reform policy
06 Nov, 2024

Jail reform policy

THE state is making a fresh attempt to improve conditions in Pakistan’s penitentiaries by developing a national...
BISP overhaul
06 Nov, 2024

BISP overhaul

IT has emerged that the spouses of over 28,500 Sindh government employees have been illicitly benefiting from BISP....
Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....