Global pressure mounts on Israel as Gaza death toll surges, war deepens    Egypt targets 7.7% AI contribution to GDP by 2030: Communications Minister    Irrigation Minister highlights Egypt's water challenges, innovation efforts at DAAD centenary celebration    Egypt discusses strengthening agricultural ties, investment opportunities with Indian delegation    Al-Sisi welcomes Spain's monarch in historic first visit, with Gaza, regional peace in focus    Cairo governor briefs PM on Khan el-Khalili, Rameses Square development    El Gouna Film Festival's 8th edition to coincide with UN's 80th anniversary    Egypt's gold prices fall on Wednesday    Egypt expands medical, humanitarian support for Gaza patients    Egypt condemns Israeli offensive in Gaza City, warns of grave regional consequences    Cairo University, Roche Diagnostics inaugurate automated lab at Qasr El-Ainy    Egypt investigates disappearance of ancient bracelet from Egyptian Museum in Tahrir    Egypt launches international architecture academy with UNESCO, European partners    Egypt signs MoUs with 3 European universities to advance architecture, urban studies    Egypt's Sisi, Qatar's Emir condemn Israeli strikes, call for Gaza ceasefire    Egypt condemns terrorist attack in northwest Pakistan    Egyptian pound ends week lower against US dollar – CBE    Egypt hosts G20 meeting for 1st time outside member states    Egypt to tighten waste rules, cut rice straw fees to curb pollution    Egypt seeks Indian expertise to boost pharmaceutical industry    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



FACTBOX: Al Qaeda's Kashmiri killed in U.S. drone strike in Pakistan
Published in Ahram Online on 04 - 06 - 2011

Senior Al-Qaeda operative Ilyas Kashmiri, regarded as one of the most dangerous militants in the world, was killed by a U.S. drone aircraft missile strike in Pakistan, a Pakistani intelligence official and media said on Saturday
The death of the Pakistani militant was another intelligence coup for the United States after U.S. special forces killed Osama bin Laden in a town close to Islamabad on May 2.
Here are some facts about Kashmiri:
* Kashmiri is considered to be a top al Qaeda operative and one of the world's most dangerous and effective militants. He is said to be a former Pakistani military officer.
* He is high on the U.S. list of most wanted militants. The U.S. Department of State has labelled Kashmiri a "specially designated global terrorist".
* The Pakistani media has speculated that Kashmiri was the mastermind of a militant siege of the PNS Mehran naval base in Pakistan's commercial hub and biggest city Karachi last month which humiliated the Pakistani military.
In that operation, six militants held off 100 security forces, including commandos, for 16 hours.
In some ways, Kashmiri's efficiency on the ground makes him far more dangerous than more high profile al Qaeda figures, like its number two Ayman al Zawahiri.
* The United States said his group, Harkat-ul Jihad Islami (HUJI), has provided fighters for the Afghan Taliban, who are fighting U.S.-led NATO troops in Afghanistan.
* The U.S. says he has backed operations against Pakistani government personnel and facilities and its premier the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) security agency.
* HUJI was behind the March 2006 suicide bombing of the U.S. Consulate in Karachi which killed four people and wounded 48, the U.S. State Department alleged.
* Kashmiri also seems to have had ambitions to attack Western targets abroad. Last year, the U.S. attorney's office in a statement quoted a Chicago taxi driver charged with sending money to Kashmiri as saying the militant told him he "wanted to train operatives to conduct attacks in the United States".
* The U.S. has charged Kashmiri with helping to plot an attack against a Danish newspaper that published cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad which angered many Muslims.
* According to U.S. prosecutors, Kashmiri has met David Headley -- a Pakistani-American who has admitted to scouting targets for the Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group for the 2008 attacks in Mumbai -- and supported the Danish plot.
* Kashmiri, believed to be in his 40s, lost an eye fighting Soviet occupation troops in Afghanistan in the 1980s and his group has fought Indian rule in the disputed Kashmir region.
* He has appeared in photographs, wearing sunglasses, and sporting a long, thick beard.


Clic here to read the story from its source.