Al-Qaeda operative killed in Waziristan

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Pakistani military on Saturday claimed killing a leading al-Qaeda operative, Adnan-el-Shukrijuma, in an early morning raid in the Shinwarsak area near Wana, the headquarters of South Waziristan Agency (SWA).

Maj. Gen. Asim Salim Bajwa, the military spokesman, confirmed the killing of Shukrijuma and said that he had moved to South Waziristan in a bid to escape the Zarb-i-Azb operation in North Waziristan.

Bajwa tweeted “his accomplice and a local facilitator were also killed in the raid.” Shukrijuma was said to be among core al-Qaeda leadership and was in charge of all external operations of the proscribed group.

Officials said they had received a tip-off regarding the presence of militants in Azam Warsak and Sheen Warsak areas, and security forces launched an operation there. Security forces came under intense fire, which left one official dead and seven others wounded.

However, it could not be immediately ascertained whether the militants suffered casualties. South Waziristan is among Pakistan and foreign militants.

The military launched Zarb-i-Azb operation in June to flush out foreign and local terrorists hiding in sanctuaries in North Waziristan. Bajwa twitted Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Gen. Raheel Sharif appreciated raiding team for successful operation and vowed to chase and eliminate all terrorists from own soil.

Other reports said that Shukrijuma was among the five men charged with plotting to bomb New York City’s subway system and attack an unidentified target in Britain under orders from al-Qaeda leaders in Pakistan.

The FBI had said that the Saudi Arabian native Shukrijumah was a threat to the US and had carried a $5 million reward for his capture. The military launched a large offensive against militants in South Waziristan in 2009 but militants still operate in the area.

rm/mud

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