Pakistani sources are beleived to have informed US officials that Ayman al-Zawahiri might have been killed. At the same time, Pakistan has categorically denied that the number 2 in the dreaded Al-Qaeda died in the CIA airstrikes by unmanned predator drones fired precision-guided missiles in Damadola,a remote Pakistani village on Pakistan-Afghan border in Waziristan on January 13.



On Saturday (January 14), thousands of people took part in a rally at Islamabad to condemn the air strikes by the US planes in Pakistan. The demonstrators raised slogans against the US and Pakistan Government, headed by General Perwez Musharraf.



At least 18 people died and six hurt in the strikes.Senior U.S. counter-terrorism official claimed that the compound that had been attacked was known to be frequented by Al Zawahiri as well as other top Al Qaeda members. This was the second such strike inside Pakistan within a week. The eighteen people killed in Friday strike included eight men, five women and five children. Three homes were targeted.



Al-Qaeda is like a hydra. By eliminating one or a dozen or one hundred terrorists the monster of terrorism cannot be caged or restrained. Countries, engaged in the war on terrorism should do some soul-searching about their intentions in this regard.



Thanks: aljazeera.net