Adam Gadahn, a Winchester native who became a top al-Qaida operative and the first American to be indicted for treason since 1952, may have been killed in an airstrike, according to intelligence experts cited by a British newspaper.Gadahn is thought to have been killed in an attack launched from a remotely piloted aircraft in January, according to London's Daily Telegraph newspaper, which cited unnamed Western intelligence sources in Pakistan.
It's September, if no rumbles from him since then, then he's dead.
Internet rumors have circulated about Gadahn's death since February, pointing to a well-trusted Pakistani news report that Gadahn was killed in the same attack that killed high-profile al-Qaida commander Abu Laith al-Libi in Waziristanin January.
That's so awesome that he was in the little group. What a lovely little surprise to get in your strike assessment!
The Telegraph article, published Sunday, also cites that late-January attack as the probable demise of Gadahn, who grew up in a reclusive family on a goat farm in the hills of Winchester. At age 17, he converted to Islam and subsequently joined al-Qaida, becoming its top propagandist.
Another telltale sign that Gadahn could be dead is that he has not produced a new video message this week to mark the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, departing from an annual tradition he launched in 2003.
Yeah, that's pretty conclusive.
"If there is no message, it will be taken as near-certain confirmation that he is dead ---- killed either in a strike by Hellfire missiles, or perhaps by jihadi colleagues who have grown jealous of his success," the Telegraph reported.
Islamo-terr office politics.
In May, several months after initial reports circulated that Gadahn might be dead, the FBI and State Department launched a publicity campaign to spread the word in Afghanistan about a $1 million reward for information on Gadahn's whereabouts. "We produced posters and matchbooks, radio ads, requesting information from anyone who might have it," Eimiller said. "There's been some information that has come in, but clearly he's not been located at this point. We are continuing to take calls and check out every lead."
They're looking for him. Can't find him. Matchbooks? I'd like to get my hands on a few of those.