http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/28/terror/main4301490.shtmlA top chemical and biological expert for Al-Qaeda was targeted in Monday’s attack by a CIA pilot-less drone in a remote Pakistani border region along Afghanistan, but it could not be verified if he died or escaped the attack, a senior western security official told CBS News Monday night.
News of Midhat Mursi al-Sayid Umar who is also known as Abu Khabab al-Masri being targeted in the attack late Sunday night, dominated Pakistan’s media Monday evening after Pakistani security officials reported the death of six men including three Arabs, in the attack carried out by the CIA drone.
Agence France-Press, the French news agency, quoted an unnamed senior intelligence official in Pesahwar, the north western city, saying “We believe he (al-Masri) was killed in this strike”. The attack took place in Waziristan-a region along the Afghan border which has become notorious for its local tribes hosting members of Al Qaeda and the Taliban movement including those who fled US and NATO forces in Afghanistan.
However, western and Pakistani officials contacted by CBS News said, it was not possible to verify Al-Masri’s death unless a body was found or other intelligence information from the area brought conclusive evidence of his death. Further investigations were believed to be continuing by Pakistan's own intelligence services along with the CIA and the US military in Afghanistan.