WANA, Pakistan (AP) — An al-Qaida intelligence chief was
killed in Pakistan’s massive military sweep through western
tribal areas to root out members of Osama bin Laden’s terror
network and the Taliban, a military official said yesterday.
Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan identified the
intelligence chief only as Abdullah.
When pressed for details, including Abdullah’s full name
and nationality, Sultan said he had no more information.
The military declared the operation in South Waziristan province
over on Sunda, and claimed it was a success.
Some 167 suspects were arrested, but hundreds of other militants
are still at large. Uzbek terrorist leader Tahir Yuldash was
reportedly wounded in the assault but escaped.
Sultan said the army had confirmed Abdullah’s death
through “independent intelligence sources” but would
not say if it had his body.
Abdullah is a common name in the Islamic world, and it was
impossible to know which of the many al-Qaida and other terror
suspects Sultan might be referring to. Sultan said that 63
militants were killed in the operation, and 167 arrested.
Security officials had said Uzbeks, Chechens and Arabs were
among them. He said 46 troops were killed and 26 injured.
Villagers have begun returning to their homes after seeking
shelter in Wana and other villages during the operation, when
thousands of Pakistani forces battled hundreds of foreign and local
militants.