Pakistanis May Be Near al-Qaida's No. 2

Chicago Tribune ^ | Published March 18, 2004, 3:53 PM CST | PAUL HAVEN, AP

[Nachum]

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistani troops believe they have surrounded al-Qaida No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahri in an operation near the Afghan border, three senior Pakistani officials said Thursday.

The officials told The Associated Press that intelligence indicated the Egyptian-born al-Zawahri, Osama bin Laden's top deputy, has been cornered in an operation. One intelligence official said captured fighters said al-Zawahri had been wounded.

The operation began Tuesday in South Waziristan with hundreds of troops and paramilitary rangers, who fired artillery and used helicopter gunships to attack dug-in al-Qaida fighters. Dozens of fighters were killed and 18 were captured, the intelligence official said.

[Slings and Arrows]

Police have released this photo of Bin Laden's Number Two:

[My2Cents]

I'm willing to agree with your prediction. Finally getting these guys may be the best defense against a Spain-like attack prior to our elections in November.

[E=MC²]

Good news for kerry; if al-zawahri is captured alive, kerry has his vp running mate.

[DannyTN]

They are really chasing Americans all over the globe!!! In this case they have slyly lured our ally to concentrate their troops!!!

[dfwgator]

"Who does Number 2 work for."