[gandalftb]

House was owned by Shero Wazir, AKA Sher Mohammad Malikkheilof, AKA Sheroo, of the Ahmadzai Wazir tribe who had rented it out to an Arab 3-4 months ago. The strike was in the village of Azam Warsak, near Kaloosha village in the South Waziristan, about 10 km W of Wana.

Compound was mainly a private madrassa operated by Sheroo mainly for Afghans. This compound had been under surveillance for many months and was known as a logistical base for attacks in Afghanistan. Lately, Punjabi Pakistanis had been weapons training there.

Gadahn frequented the area as well as top AQ leaders.

Four Arabs showed up about 1700GMT, then Predators circled. Strike occurred at 2100GMT Wednesday 022708.

There may have been a Hellfire, but I believe, due to the low angle of attack, three missiles (one struck a nearby field), size of the primary explosion, this was likely cruise missiles.

The secondary blast was heard in Wana, likely stored munitions that cooked off.

The only dead identified so far is Shahrukh Khan, younger brother of Khan Mohammad, senior commander of Mullah Nazir-led militants of the Abu Hamza group.

So far, the dead are 4 Arabs, 4 Turkmens, 3 Punjabi Pakistanis, and 2 Afghans. Unconfirmed that 6 wounded prisoners are captured.

An Egyptian fugitive is reported among the 4 dead Arabs. Zawahiri was known to associate with Turkmens, used them for bodyguards. Zawahiri frequented this area with Gadahn, traveled in a group of 3-5.

The backwater buzz is that this was a High Value Target, very high value. Few would get this kind of air strike attention, al-Libi only rated one Hellfire.

Maybe premature and unconfirmed, I'm not celebrating yet, but I'm looking for my corkscrew and dusting off the glasses.

[Tallguy]

There may have been a Hellfire, but I believe, due to the low angle of attack, three missiles (one struck a nearby field), size of the primary explosion, this was likely cruise missiles.

That's a pretty good guess. The Predator only carries 2 Hellfires, max. So either there was more than 1 Predator tasked (doubtful), there was a fast-mover in the area (probably not), or the Predator was just doing BDA after spotting the get-together (likely).

Wonder what the turnaround time would be on a cruise missile strike?

[LikeLight]

Fascinating info, keep it coming, as appropriate...

[maine-iac7]

The backwater buzz is that this was a High Value Target, very high value. Few would get this kind of air strike attention, al-Libi only rated one Hellfire. Maybe premature and unconfirmed, I'm not celebrating yet, but I'm looking for my corkscrew and dusting off the glasses.

from your keyboard to God's ears...

These creeps are getting ready of another - this time MEGA SUPER spring offensive on the Kunar - where they have been wreaking havoc for months - on my grandson and his buddies -

May this be the big one...and may he be in tiny pieces...

[Straight Vermonter]

The backwater buzz is that this was a High Value Target, very high value. Few would get this kind of air strike attention, al-Libi only rated one Hellfire.

Excellent point!