US drone kills top al-Qaeda operative in Pakistan

A top al-Qaeda operative Qari Zafar, suspected of being involved in the US consulate Karachi bombing was killed in a US drone strike in Dandi Darpakhel area of North Wasiristan Agency on Wednesday.

Official sources confirm that Qari Zafar who was carrying booty of 5 million dollars on his head has been killed along with two other important Taliban commanders Rana Afzal alias Noor Khan and Bahdar Mansoor.

Qari Zafar is wanted for questioning in connection with the March 2, 2002 bombing of the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan.

The attack killed three Pakistani citizens and David Foy, a U.S. diplomat.

Punjabi Taliban commander Rana Afzal who was also killed in the drone attack is said to be the master mind suicide bombing at FIA building in Lahore in March 2008 and also the attacks at the Lahore High Court.

Bahadar Masnoor is another key commander of Punjabi Taliban and has been a member of banned Sipah Sahaba Pakistan.

He is the founding head of Punjabi Taliban’s organisation of Bahadar Mansoor North Wasiristan.

The suspected drones targeted a compound and a vehicle of the militants in Dandi Darpakhle area of North Wasiristan Agency.

The number of deaths in Wednesday’s strike has increased up to 13 which also included four foreigners; four bodies have been reduced to pieces and could not be identified.

- Asian Tribune -