Senior Al Qaeda Member Killed in Afghanistan Near Pakistani Border In US Drone Strike

Afghan intelligence officials said Sunday a senior member of al Qaeda was killed in Nangarhar province, Khaama Press reported. The National Directorate of Security said Abu Bara al-Kuwaiti, who had close ties to al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri, was killed in a U.S. airstrike.

The Long War Journal reported reported the operation was conducted near the border with Pakistan's tribal agency of Khyber. Tolo News said Abu Bara was at the home of Abdul Samad Khanjari, whose home also was raided. Intelligence officers seized weapons, a laptop and documents, Tolo News said.

The Long War Journal said al Qaeda had yet to confirm the death of Abu Bara, a member of al Qaeda's general command. The suspected death is the second blow to the terrorist network this week. NDS captured Anas Haqqani, the son of the Haqqani network's leader, and Hafiz Rashid, the network's military commander in southeastern Afghanistan.