Top Al Qaeda leader killed in Pakistan

Islamabad, Dec 6:

The Pakistan Army said Saturday that a top Al Qaeda leader was killed in the Shinwarsak region of South Waziristan.

A statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that Adnan el Shukrijuma had moved to this area from North Waziristan Agency to hide in a compound due to the ongoing “Zarb-i-Azb” operation, Dawn online reported.

“His accomplice and local facilitator were also killed in the raid,” the statement said.

The statement says Adnan el Shukrijuma was a member of the core Al Qaeda leadership and was in charge of all external operations of the terror group.

During the raid, a soldier was also killed and another injured.

The Pakistan Army had launched Operation Zarb-i-Azb in June against foreign and local terrorists who were hiding in sanctuaries in North Waziristan.

The comprehensive operation was launched a week after militants made a brazen attack on the country’s busiest airport in Karachi.

(IANS)