ISLAMABAD, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- The senior leader of the extremist Haqqani Network has been killed in a drive-by shooting near the Pakistan capital Islamabad, members of the group say.
Dr. Nasiruddin Haqqani was killed Sunday night when gunmen on a motorcycle shot him 26 times as he returned from a mosque, The Express Tribune reported Monday.
A militant who had previously worked with the Haqqani Network in North Waziristan confirmed the death.
The network is considered the most violent faction of the Taliban in Afghanistan. It was founded by Nasiruddin Haqqani's father, Jalaluddin Haqqani.
Nasiruddin Haqqani was among a group of terrorists whose assets had been frozen and a travel ban imposed by the U.N. Security Council. His brother Sirajuddin has gained an increased role in leadership of the group, while Nasiruddin has been engaged in fundraising.
