Top Haqqani leader confirmed killed in Pakistan

WASHINGTON (AP) — A senior American official is confirming the death of a top leader in the Haqqani network who played a central role in attacking coalition forces in Afghanistan.
Janbaz Zadran was killed Thursday in the Haqqani stronghold of Miram Shah in North Waziristan, Pakistan. The area has been targeted in CIA drone strikes in the past.
The U.S. official says Zadran's death makes him the most senior Haqqani leader in Pakistan to be taken off the battlefield. The official says Zadran helped the Haqqani network orchestrate attacks on troops in Kabul and southeastern Afghanistan.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters.
U.S. intelligence considers the Haqqani Network the No. 1 threat in Afghanistan and is supported by Pakistani security forces.