August 5, 2022
2 mins read

Speculation on Pakistan’s role in Zawahiri drone strike

The reports claimed that the attack was launched from Ganci Airbase, a US transit facility at Manas in northern Kyrgyzstan…reports Asian Lite News

The American drone that killed Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul was possibly launched from an airbase in Kyrgyzstan, some US media reports claimed.

The reports claimed that the attack was launched from Ganci Airbase, a US transit facility at Manas in northern Kyrgyzstan, says Dawn news.

According to the US Department of Defence, Ganci is a former American military base in Kyrgyzstan, near the Bishkek international airport.

It was operated by the US Air Force, which handed it over to the Kyrgyz military in June 2014.

The national Public Radio, America’s largest radio news network, noted that US officials were not saying where they launched the drone from, “but the US no longer has any military bases in the immediate region, suggesting the aircraft may have flown a long distance before reaching its target”.

Michael Kugelman, a scholar of South Asian affairs at the Wilson Center, Washington, noted that the drone strike has generated “lots of discussion” in the US on “Pakistan’s possible role” in the raid, Dawn reported.

“I wouldn’t overstate its role, but also would take with some grains of salt the contention that there was no role at all.”

Kugelman focused his attention on two possible forms of support: airspace and intelligence. “The geography doesn’t lie. If this drone was launched from a US base in the Gulf, it wouldn’t be able to fly over Iran. Flying over Central Asia is circuitous and hard to pull off if you’re undertaking a rapid operation,” he wrote.

“This leaves the Pakistani airspace as the most desirable option for intelligence support and US officials have indicated the planning and surveillance for this operation took months.”

“Could it do that all alone, with no on-ground presence?” he asked, adding that if not Pakistan, “some renegade Taliban members might have supplied that information to the US”.

But Kugelman does not rule out the possibility of Afghanistan’s Central Asian neighbours providing that support to the US, Dawn reported.

Pakistan Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said the drone that targeted and killed Zawahiri was not operated from the country, Geo News reported.

ALSO READ: Pakistan enslaved by IMF, says Shehbaz

Previous Story

China lifts ban on Tibetan festival after 20 years

Next Story

After 49 years, a direct appointee from Bar set to become CJI

Latest from -Top News

World Powers Gather for G7

The leaders had unveiled its slimmed-down agenda on Sunday, prioritising discussions on the global economy and energy security….reports Asian Lite News Several world leaders have gathered at the Canadian Rockies for the

Israel Takes Out Iran Spy Leaders

Among those killed were Mohammad Khatami, head of the IRGC Intelligence Organisation since 2022, and his deputy Mohammad Hassan Mahkaghi….reports Asian Lite News Israel on Monday announced that four high-ranking Iranian intelligence

Iran May Quit Nuclear Treaty

The NPT, a landmark international treaty that came into force in 1970, seeks to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons…reports Asian Lite News Amid rising tensions with Israel, Iran announced Monday that

Modi, Cyprus President Hold Talks

Both leaders explored avenues to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, security, and technology…reports Asian Lite News Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held wide-ranging discussions with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides at the

Jaishankar Dials UAE, Armenia as Mideast Heats Up

EAM Jaishankar discussed the fast-evolving situation and emphasised the importance of dialogue and cooperation….reports Asian Lite News External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held telephonic conversations with his counterparts in the United Arab
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Imran Khan Granted Bail in 12 Riot Cases

Imran was also granted bail in the GHQ and Army

Pak govt defends military trials of civilians, stirring debate

The government called on the apex court to consider its