Suspected drone strike kills Haqqani network leader

Nov. 22 (UPI) -- A suspected drone strike on Nov. 21 in northwestern Pakistan killed Maulvi Ahmad Jan, senior adviser to Haqqani network leader Sirajuddin Haqqani. Jan was among six individuals, including four Taliban and two teachers, killed in a series of three early morning missile strikes against an alleged madrassa near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

U.S. and Pakistan officials disagree whether the strike targeted an Islamic seminary. U.S. officials deny Pakistan's allegation and, according to The Washington Post, claim the target was a Haqqani-affiliated compound.

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Thursday's missile strike, stating that "the drone strikes are not only a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, these are also having a negative impact on the Government’s efforts to pursue the consensus achieved in the All Parties Conference to explore the dialogue process in order to bring peace and stability in Pakistan and the region."

The Haqqani network, an Islamist militant organization, was labeled a "foreign terrorist organization" in 2012 by Executive Order of President Barak Obama. Haqqani leader Sirajuddin Haqqani is wanted by the FBI for questioning about attacks in Afghanistan against U.S. and coalition forces.

[The Washington Post] [Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs] [US Department of State] [Federal Bureau of Investigation]