WASHINGTON – Al-Qaida’s global operations manager Adnan el Shukrijumah was killed in South Waziristan after a firefight with Pakistani military forces on Saturday, Dec. 6, according to a Pakistani military source with knowledge of the operation.
U.S. officials say el Shukrijumah was responsible for all of the planning, plotting and attacks the organization has engaged in since the death of Osama bin Laden. He assumed the role of Khalid Sheik Muhammad, the alleged mastermind of the Sep. 11, 2001 attacks. Muhammad is being held in a Guantanamo Bay detention facility.
The Pakistani military source confirmed “(el Shukrijumah) was found in a village in the early morning hours and when approached by Pakistan military authorities he opened fire and threw grenades at them.” He was living in a compound with family members. The source says no one else in the compound was killed however there were several Pakistani military casualties reported.
El Shukrijumah was a westernized, computer whiz who grew up in Miramar, Florida, and has been at-large since the 9/11 attacks. The Pakistani source says there was no direct U.S. involvement in the operation. El Shukrijumah was wanted by the FBI. A $5 million reward for his capture had been offered.