EXCLUSIVE: Pakistani Military Sources Say Zawahiri May Be Dead

ABC News ^ | January 13, 2006 | Brian Ross

[John W]

Jan. 13, 2006 — Today, according to Pakistani military sources, U.S. aircraft attacked a compound known to be frequented by high level al Qaeda operatives. Pakistani officials tell ABC News that al Qaeda leader Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama bin Laden's top lieutenant, may have been among them.

U.S. intelligence for the last few days indicated that Zawahiri might be in the location or about to arrive, although there is still no confirmation from U.S. officials that he was among the victims.

[mewzilla]

They lie!

Sure sounds like it.

[Mr Cobol]

I'm home now....so I can drink....and boy would this be a great occasion!!!

I may have to join you and eeevil in that drink. I bought some rum today for a rum cake but I guess I could sneak a few shots out of it.

[Right Wing Assault]

Oops. Sorry!

[csvset]

Kunar is where we lost the Seals.

All the more reason I hope it turns out to be Al Z and his cohorts that were killed.

[SeaBiscuit]

"How many times are these guys going to end up dead?"

As many times as it takes.

[Dog]

I wonder who gave the order....this strike had to go to the top to get approval.

[Shqipo]

Batchelor doesn't have Babbin or Loftis on his schedule tonight. I hope he brings in someone to fill in the unknown blanks of this story.

[knews_hound]

You guys are too kind.

And after hearing he is dead for about the 10,000th time, it seemed perfect.

Cheers,

knewshound

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

["I ran out and saw planes were dropping bombs," said Zaman, 40. "I saw my home being hit."]

Least believable statement of the year award.

Roger that! We are certainly dealing with a culture of infantile, cowardly liars.

[demlosers]

4 hellfires per drone according to that article.

Went looking....and found this 2002 article:

"The Air Force, for example, has plans for hunter-killer teams of laser-designator-equipped reconnaissance Predators and next-generation Predator Bs. The latter will have a 50% greater payload capacity and be able to fly longer (up to 24 hr), faster (over 220 kt), and higher (up to 52,000 ft). Using a laser target designator to “illuminate” targets, the Predator B would descend to about 15,000 ft and attack the target with up to eight laser-guided Hellfire missiles (carried in two four-round M200 rail launchers) or even the 250-lb small-diameter bomb now in development. The current Predator can carry only two Hellfire missiles.

With its greater size and power, the Predator B also could meet the Air Force’s need for a reconnaissance UAV that falls between the current baseline Predator and the Global Hawk, which can operate at altitudes of up to 65,000 ft.

http://www.aiaa.org/aerospace/Article.cfm?issuetocid=233&ArchiveIssueID=28

Yeah, 8 Hellfires per Predator B -- an upgrade!

[Right Wing Assault]

That's due to the massive air leak from her head.

Yes, I've noticed her head getting smaller lately.

[EarlyBird]

"And, according to Iranians I trust, Osama bin Laden finally departed this world in mid-December...."

Michael Ledeen on Osama bin Laden on National Review Online

[A Citizen Reporter]

"The MIGHT just takes the edge of certainty off, a bit.

Only if you are wishing. Your posting history speaks for itself. On this very thread.

[FreeReign]

In that case, it looks like they are now considering alQ to be a significant liability to Pak govt interests (like being on the list of places to sterilize if alQ ever dotonates a nuke on US soil)

...now considering Al Qaeda a liability?

From an Al Qaeda point of view, Musharref jumped the shark quite aways back.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

I thought CNN reported he was number 2.

Probbaly a lot of #2 in his pants at the last minute.

[operation clinton cleanup]

I got the link to Batchelor on my computer

Can you throw that up? I just reformatted my puter and lost all links

[TADSLOS]

Probably GW, after reading the NSA report of one of those "illegal" surveillance intercepts... ;~)

[knews_hound]

The blog isn't bad either....

[IntheHillsGolden]

MOST WANTED TERRORISTS

MURDER OF U.S. NATIONALS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES;
CONSPIRACY TO MURDER U.S. NATIONALS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES;
ATTACK ON A FEDERAL FACILITY RESULTING IN DEATH

AYMAN AL-ZAWAHIRI

Info from the FBI's Website : http://www.fbi.gov/mostwant/terrorists/teralzawahiri.htm

[A Citizen Reporter]

It's very difficult to read. Why the reverse black to white?