Haqqani, Al Qaeda men died in drone attack

E-Paper | May 22, 2026

PESHAWAR, July 6: A ‘commander’ of the Haqqani network and an Al Qaeda operative were among the 17 people killed in drone strike in North Waziristan earlier this week, according to official sources.

They said those killed in the strike in Serai Darpakhel area near Miramshah Bazaar included Mullah Akhtar Zadran, a ‘commander’ of the Haqqani network, and Abu Saif Al-Jazeri, an operative of Al Qaeda.

Also killed in the strike are said to be two Punjabi militant ‘commanders’ — Rana Ashraf and Naveed Butt. The other 13 victims were ‘foot soldiers’, the sources said.

However, there was no independent confirmation of the claim.

Local people are never allowed to go near the scene of a drone strike, which is immediately cordoned off by militants to retrieve the dead and wounded. Government officials rely on local contacts and radio intercepts to figure out the identities of the victims.

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Pakistan

Security forces kill 23 terrorists in multiple Khyber Pakhtunkhwa IBOs: ISPR

Quadcopter attack kills two schoolchildren in KP's Bajaur

Wanted terrorist ringleader among 5 militants killed in North Waziristan operation: security sources

Mustafa

Jul 07, 2013 07:30am

The Pakistan Army can effectively eliminate militants and terrorists but they must be given complete immunity from prosecution if any innocent is killed or injured in the exercise of their duties.

Recommend 0

alfe

Jul 07, 2013 08:30am

Good riddance!!!! let's get some more

Recommend 0

Modi

Jul 07, 2013 09:20am

So there were foreign nationals, mixed up with Pakistani terrorists who died in the drone attacks! Good! Then the Pakistani Govt. should be grateful to the US for helping to establish govt's writ in those areas by eliminating foreign nationals who were illegaly present in the country without a valid visa. So why do the Pakistanis blame the US for breaching its sovereignty. Pakistan's sovereignty has already been breached by illegal foreign terrorists present in the Pakistani territory without legal documents.

Recommend 0

muzammil ullah khan

Jul 07, 2013 11:04am

Good riddance of bad rubbish !

Recommend 0

Kesar

Jul 07, 2013 01:03pm

I certainly wouldn't be shedding any tears for these terrorists!

Recommend 0

Maqbool Basha

Jul 07, 2013 01:10pm

Congrats to US, at least you are helping Pakistan though our Army is playing double games.

Recommend 0

Saleem A

Jul 07, 2013 01:42pm

And who verified this? Journalists aren't allowed there. I bet it was either an ISPR source of ISAF

Recommend 0

IAJ

Jul 07, 2013 01:45pm

Go Drones GO !!!!

Recommend 0

aceleaf

Jul 07, 2013 02:17pm

Innocent of the innocents, faithful of faithfuls, were martyred in Amarat-e-Islami-e -Waziristan. These innocent Muslims came from all corners of the globe to acquire knowledge from citadel of great Waziristan. If you spare my geography they came to Khurasan for apocalyptic battle between good and evil. Names of four of them are known. But rest of them are women and children. If you don't believe consult your local JI, PTI, JUI(f) leadership. You will be given full information about Awtrain-aur-Bachay. If you want to register your protest consult local Madressa Imam Sb.

Recommend 0

Abbas

Jul 07, 2013 02:21pm

How on earth you think US will stop such drone attacks when our own media identifies that those who killed in the drone attack were not innocent civilians but just terrorists? If you want to stop such drone attacks than either bring these terrorist to negotiation table or take each of them out and kill them.

Recommend 0

shafiq

Jul 07, 2013 04:28pm

Thank you USA. I would not shed tears for the Haqqani or the Al Qaeda.Sooner they are beaten the sooner we live in peace. Shafiq

Recommend 0

pathanoo

Jul 07, 2013 06:48pm

@shafiq: Pakistan needs millions like you, Shafiq.

Recommend 0

pathanoo

Jul 07, 2013 06:47pm

Too bad the Drone did not catch a Haqqani. Pakistan, Can you say," Thank You, America?"

Recommend 0

Salim Akbani

Jul 07, 2013 07:37pm

US is doing what the Pak Military should have done 10-years ago. If you cannot take out a gang of criminals and block all access to weapons, then this Army is not worth its salt. Every time an attack like occurs, the commanders and the leadership of this country should hang their head in shame for failing to protect their citizens. A standing army of 600,000+ cannot take out a rag tag band of criminals and murderers numbering perhaps 6,000(1%) its size. How can they confront an adversary who is 10 times their size, to the East, and a lot more sophisticated than these criminals,

Recommend 0

Salim Akbani

Jul 07, 2013 07:36pm

There is only one kind of good terrorist - A DEAD ONE

Recommend 0

ebrahim jaffer

Jul 08, 2013 12:17am

@Abbas: what negotiating table. You really think these people are worth negotiating with. They stand in the name of your religion and mine for everything the religion prohibits . They need to be taken out. End of discussion

Recommend 0

Ashok R.Prabhu

Jul 08, 2013 02:36am

Where is the harm in killing of these dreaded terrorists?In a way,it is better for Pakistan that America is doing this thankless job!

Recommend 0