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India-Pakistan
US strike in Pakistan 'missed Taliban target but killed four Al-Qaeda men'
2008-09-11
A US missile strike targeting a top Taliban commander in Pakistan's restive northwest killed four mid-level Al-Qaeda operatives, a security official and a militant source said Wednesday, as fresh violence erupted in the lawless tribal area. Monday's strike in North Waziristan, however, failed to kill Jalaluddin Haqqani or his son, Sirajuddin, accused by Afghan and Western forces of orchestrating the insurgency across the border in Afghanistan.

The five missiles fired Monday, by suspected US drones, destroyed a seminary and an underground tunnel built by the Haqqanis in Darpa Dandekhen, near Miranshah, the main town in the troubled Pakistani tribal district. The aerial strike was reported to have killed 21.

"According to local sources the strike killed four Al-Qaeda operators and some extended family members of Haqqani's," a security official told

A source in Haqqani's group confirmed the death of four Arabs, identified as Abu Harris, Abu Hamza, Abu Qasim and Abu Musa Alkhyan. The four names are thought to be cover names and neither the security official nor the militant source would reveal their real identities.

The official said Hamza was believed to be an expert in making roadside bombs, while Harris was looking after the group's logistics in the North and South Waziristan areas.

Missile strikes targeting militants in Pakistan in recent weeks have been blamed on US-led coalition forces or CIA drones based in Afghanistan. Pakistan does not have missile-equipped drones.
Did they check with the Ruritanians ...
Haqqani, who was a close aid to fugitive Taliban leader Mullah Omar, has not been seen since the fall of the hard-line regime in Afghanistan in 2001. He is widely believed to be bed-ridden while his son is the main contact between Afghan and Pakistani Taliban militants based in North Waziristan.

Residents said that two pilotless aircraft circled over Dande Darpakhel, about two kilometers north of Miranshah, before at least one drone fired several missiles.
Posted by:Fred

#6  Anybody hear from Adam Gadahn today?
Posted by: Mullah Richard   2008-09-11 21:27  

#5  Maybe it was the start of Abu hunting season...
Posted by: tu3031   2008-09-11 16:16  

#4  'missed Taliban target but killed four Al-Qaeda men'

So take a mulligan and replay it...
Posted by: Phusock Stalin1748   2008-09-11 16:14  

#3  Godfrey Daniel those danged Turks and Caicos guys never get it right.

YOu would think a crack SO group from a military power like Turks and Caicos would have gone in on foot and shot them all at close range.

Missiles at 6000 feet? Bah
Posted by: James Carville   2008-09-11 15:21  

#2  They war against terrorists just seems to drone on and on, It's wonderful.
Posted by: Richard of Oregon   2008-09-11 05:58  

#1  Seems the US got who it wanted. Haqqani's spawn is just a bonus.
Posted by: ed   2008-09-11 01:43  

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