A top leader of the powerful Haqqani militant network was killed in a US drone strike last week, security officials confirmed Thursday, on the same day that at least 18 suspected militants died in fighting with military forces along the Afghan border. Badruddin Haqqani was attacked in a drone strike on August 21 in North Waziristan, a lawless tribal area along the Afghan border and a stronghold of Haqqani and other al Qaeda-linked militant groups.
"He suffered injuries in the attack and died a few days later on August 24 and was buried on same day," a security official said on conditions of anonymity. The death was confirmed by locals, who said he was buried in Shin Khwar area of North Waziristan, near the grave of his 13-year-old nephew, who was also killed in the strike. Word of Badruddin's death came as at least 18 suspected militants were killed in fresh clashes with security forces in north-western region along the Afghan border, officials said.