What Happened?

13 October 2011: A U.S. drone strike destroyed an unknown target near the Haqqani Madrassa in Danda Darpa Khel area of Miranshah. This attack reportedly occurred at around 0645 hours. Media reports indicate that a car was targeted with Haqqani Network officers inside.

Allegation came forth from CNN that a top Haqqani Network leader, Janbaz Zadran, was killed. A later allegation by The Washington Post contradicts the CNN claim by citing Pakistani military intelligence, where it was claimed that a street-level guard Jalil Haqqani was killed in this strike instead.

The Washington Post was able to confirm Maulana Iftikhar to be among the dead, a prominent local scholar and head of either the Haqqania or another local madrassa. His funeral drew a substantial crowd and attendance by Pakistani parliamentarian, Munawar Khan.

Data released years later by FATA officials in Peshawar contradicts all these claims, instead alleging that a ‘non-local’ Afghani was killed in this U.S. drone attack.

Direct U.S. drone attacks on this Haqqani Network stronghold were more common in the earlier phase of the regional drone warfare. This attack signaled a growing frustration of the Obama administration with Pakistan’s ISI.

Sources: CNN, Washington Post, AP

OMM-PK294

Pictorial and Evidence

More Massacres