| Ayman Al-Zawahiri, Al Qaeda's second in command, is holed up near Quetta, according to a Washington Times report. The paper cited a "highly placed Pakistani intelligence source" as saying the Egyptian-born Qaeda leader, carrying a $25 million bounty, roams openly in the border regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Al-Zawahiri was positively identified in North Waziristan in June 2008. The locations of high-level meetings held by him were then conveyed to Americans. In August 2008, drone attacks forced him to move to South Waziristan. Later, he moved to Balochistan and then crossed into Afghanistan from Zhob. According to the Washington Times source, he returned to Pakistan in December or January and may have relocated recently to some place near Quetta. Al-Zawahiri has no large entourage and dresses in the manner of the people in the areas in which he resides. His wives too have moved frequently. He is guarded by Egyptians and veterans of the conflict in Afghanistan easily recognise him. |