Death From The Skies

Reports earlier today by BBC, indicated that 80 terroristswere killed in a raid that had targeted Ayman al Zawahiri, al Qaeda’s number two man. ABC’s , The Blotter, has this to say about the attack:

ABC News has learned the raid was launched after U.S. intelligence received tips and examined Predator reconnaissance indicating that al Qaeda’s No. 2 man may have been staying at the school, which is located in the Bajaur region near the village that is thought to be al Qaeda’s winter headquarters.

Despite earlier reports that the missiles had been launched by Pakistani military helicopters, Pakistani intelligence sources now tell ABC News that the missiles were fired from a U.S. Predator drone plane.

BBC was skeptical about Zawahiri’s death though. According to their sources, it would be unlikely for Zawahiri to hide out in such an obvious spot. In typical BBC fashion, the terrorists were referred to as alleged militants and students in the madrassa.

Regardless, it’s 80 less of the buggers that we have to worry about. Good hunting!

UPDATE 10/31/2006: Pakistani officials now state that Zawahiri was not among the dead. Also, it has been learned that the attack was, in fact, made by Pakistani helicopter gunships..not an armed Predator drone.