Washington: The US last night eliminated chief of Al-Qaeda terror outfit Ayman Al-Zawahiri in a precision-based attack in Afghanistan, silencing a terrorist leader who had plotted 9/11 and had been threatening attacks in India.
Zawahiri was targeted at a safe house in Kabul, where two missiles fired from a drone hit him in the balcony, according to officials.
Such precise was the attack carried out by the CIA that only Zawahiri was killed while his family members, who were present in the house, were unhurt.
The 71-year-old Egypt-born doctor was heading Al Qaeda since the killing of Osama bin Laden in 2011 in a similar covert operation by the US Special Forces in Abbottabad near Islamabad in Pakistan.
Zawahiri was the right hand man of Bin Laden and carried forward the slain international terrorist’s legacy of terrorism.
Osama bin Laden and Zawahiri had jointly plotted the September 11, 2001 attacks in the US and was on the hitlist of America in the category of ‘Most Wanted’ terrorists.
Under Zawahiri, Al Qaeda had made attempts to spread its wings to Kashmir where it formed Ansar Ghazwat-ul Hind outfit in 2017.
Ansar Ghazwat-ul Hind was founded by terrorist Zakir Musa, who quit Hizbul Mujahideen to launch the Al Qaeda affiliate.
However, the Indian security forces decimated the attempt by eliminating Musa and other top cadres of the outfit.
Zawahiri had also been talking about intentions to carry out attacks in Kashmir.
Hosting of Zawahiri in Kabul is a violation by the rulers Taliban of an agreement signed with the US on February 29, 2020.
Under the pact, to pave the way for exit of the US from Afghanistan, the Taliban had given a commitment that it would snap all ties with Al Qaeda and not allow their presence in Afghanistan.
While America has left Afghanistan, the Taliban clearly continues to maintain close contact with the Al Qaeda.
US President Joe Biden, while giving information about the successful operation to take out Zawahiri, said, “Now, justice has been delivered and this terrorist leader is no more.”
Biden, who had authorised the operation, said Zawahiri had “carved a trail of murder and violence against American citizens” and his killing would bring closure to families of the victims of the 2001 attacks.
Zawahiri had also masterminded other acts of violence, including the suicide bombing of the USS Cole naval destroyer in Aden in October 2000 which killed 17 US sailors, he said.
“No matter how long it takes, no matter where you hide, if you are a threat to our people, the United States will find you and take you out,” Biden said.
“We shall never waver from defending our nation and its people”.
