Qari Ismail, a Taliban commander, was credited with downing an American Special Forces helicopter responding to Operation Red Wings in June 2005, killing all 16 soldiers aboard.Pak Tribune, "Taliban claim killing 20 US troops in Kunar. Dozens die as US jets bomb civilians", 14 July 2008
On 2 October 2003, Ismail, Ahmed Khadr and his son Abdulkareem, al-Jowfi, al-Iraqi and Khalid Habib were all staying at a South Waziristan safe house. The following day, after Fajr prayers, Khadr told his son that Pakistani troops had warned a raid was scheduled in the village, and told him to start moving.Shepherd, Michelle, "Guantanamo's Child", 2008 A few minutes later, a Pakistani helicopter team and hundreds of security forces attacked the village.Musharraf, Pervez, "In the Line of Fire: A Memoir", 2006
In August 2004, Pakistan reported that it had arrested Ismail as a "key element" of al-Qaeda.China Daily, , 22 August 2004
See also Deobandi jihadism
References