One of al-Qaida's top five leaders, said to be responsible for planning overseas strikes, was killed by Pakistani security forces in a rocket attack near the Afghan border with U.S. help, American and Pakistani officials said Saturday.
Said the Pakistanis:
A senior Pakistani intelligence official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media, said a missile attack triggered a huge explosion in a stockpile of bomb-making materials, grenades and other munitions.
Other Pakistani intelligence officials, also not identifying themselves for the same reason, said U.S. assistance played a critical role in tracking down Rabia and "eliminating the threat" that he posed.
It is impolite to say this, but the division of labor probably started with US recon assets following up Pakistani leads (I may be generous here, since Pakistani intelligence is rather fond of the jihadis. So maybe US intelligence got wind of Rabia.), followed by the actual launch by US agents or forces of drones with missiles. Meanwhile, higher flying US recon aircraft kept watch over the area to confirm the target. The US drone operators put their birds into position and verified their target. At this point, the US commander of the operation gave permission to fire Hellfire missiles from the drones. Then, the Pakistani liaisson officer pushed the red button that the American staff sergeant drone operator pointed to, sending the American-made missile into the building, setting off secondary explosions.
Because we would never operate in Pakistani territory, we only provided a minor albeit "critical role" such as I described, I'm sure.
You really can get by with a little help from your friends.
