Pakistan Army is trying to confirm information on the killing of Ilyas Kashmiri, a leader of al-Qaeda, in an attack launched by an unmanned U.S. plane in northern Pakistan.
“There is a strong suspicion that he had been killed in the attack, but it is impossible to be confirmed officially, because we can not reach to the lifeless bodies and even the villagers say that they are unrecognizable”, said a senior Pakistani military official. “Still trying to confirm”, he added.
Nine members of Ilyas Kashmiri group were killed Friday evening in an attack launched by an unmanned U.S. aircraft in the tribal areas of northwestern Pakistan. Several military sources and local government members had declared earlier that Ilyas Kashmiri was seen in the area in recent days.
Kashmiri is considered one of the most active al-Qaeda leaders, being involved in several attacks or attempted attacks in Pakistan, India and Western countries. 47 years old and originally from Kashmir, he is wanted by the United States that is offering a reward of $5 million for any information leading to his location.