Drone strike in North Waziristan kills Haqqani network leader
Pakistan condemns drone strike. Calls it counterproductive and violation of country's sovereignty.
Foreign office says drone strikes are counter-productive, entail loss of innocent civilian lives. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
DI KHAN:
Mullah Sangeen Zadran, the second-in-command to the Haqqani Network chief Sirajuddin Haqqani was killed in a US drone strike in Ghullam Khan area of North Waziristan last night.
Local tribal and intelligence sources confirmed Zadran’s killing to The Express Tribune.
His death was announced through loud-speakers in local mosques during Friday prayers, and special prayers were also held for him.
Zadran, 45, hailed from the Zadran tribe in Afghanistan’s Paktika province. He was a popular leader and played an influential role in bringing together militants from banned outfits, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), al Qaeda and the Afghan Taliban.
According to the US Department of State website, Zadran was designated a global terrorist by the US government, blocking all property within US jurisdiction and barring US persons from engaging in any transaction with him.
The website states Zadran was the shadow governor of Paktika province and facilitated attacks across southern Afghanistan. He is also believed to have planned and coordinated infiltration of militants into that country and linked to several IED attacks and kidnapping of foreigners in the border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
He was among the six killed after missiles fired from a drone struck al Qaeda’s Nawab camp. Four others were also injured in the attack. The deceased include Jordanians Muhammad Abu Bilal Al-Khurrasani and Abu Dogana Al-Khairrasani, both allegedly al Qaeda members, Zubair, an Egyptian also an alleged al Qaeda member, and locals Arshad Dawar and Ajmal Dawar.
Pakistan protests drone strike
Pakistan on Friday condemed the drone strike in Ghulam Khan tehsil of North Waziristan.
A statement released by the Foreign Ministry, reiterated Pakistan's stance that "these unilateral strikes are a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Pakistan has repeatedly emphasised the importance of bringing an immediate end to drone strikes."
"The Government of Pakistan has consistently maintained that drone strikes are counter-productive, entail loss of innocent civilian lives and have human rights and humanitarian implications. Such strikes also set dangerous precedents in the inter-state relations."
The statement added that the strikes "have a negative impact on the mutual desire of both countries to forge a cordial and cooperative relationship and to ensure peace and stability in the region."
Mullah Sangeen Zadran, the second-in-command to the Haqqani Network chief Sirajuddin Haqqani was killed in a US drone strike in Ghullam Khan area of North Waziristan last night.
Local tribal and intelligence sources confirmed Zadran’s killing to The Express Tribune.
His death was announced through loud-speakers in local mosques during Friday prayers, and special prayers were also held for him.
Zadran, 45, hailed from the Zadran tribe in Afghanistan’s Paktika province. He was a popular leader and played an influential role in bringing together militants from banned outfits, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), al Qaeda and the Afghan Taliban.
According to the US Department of State website, Zadran was designated a global terrorist by the US government, blocking all property within US jurisdiction and barring US persons from engaging in any transaction with him.
The website states Zadran was the shadow governor of Paktika province and facilitated attacks across southern Afghanistan. He is also believed to have planned and coordinated infiltration of militants into that country and linked to several IED attacks and kidnapping of foreigners in the border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
He was among the six killed after missiles fired from a drone struck al Qaeda’s Nawab camp. Four others were also injured in the attack. The deceased include Jordanians Muhammad Abu Bilal Al-Khurrasani and Abu Dogana Al-Khairrasani, both allegedly al Qaeda members, Zubair, an Egyptian also an alleged al Qaeda member, and locals Arshad Dawar and Ajmal Dawar.
Pakistan protests drone strike
Pakistan on Friday condemed the drone strike in Ghulam Khan tehsil of North Waziristan.
A statement released by the Foreign Ministry, reiterated Pakistan's stance that "these unilateral strikes are a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Pakistan has repeatedly emphasised the importance of bringing an immediate end to drone strikes."
"The Government of Pakistan has consistently maintained that drone strikes are counter-productive, entail loss of innocent civilian lives and have human rights and humanitarian implications. Such strikes also set dangerous precedents in the inter-state relations."
The statement added that the strikes "have a negative impact on the mutual desire of both countries to forge a cordial and cooperative relationship and to ensure peace and stability in the region."