Al-Qaeda has named computer literate Farman Ali Shinwari, a resident of the restive Khyber tribal region and whose brothers have been associated with terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, as its new chief in Pakistan.
A statement was issued by the al-Qaeda leadership about Shinwari being chosen the new head of the terrorist network in Pakistan, The News daily on Monday quoted its sources as saying. Unnamed local officials confirmed the development, the report said.
The statement issued by al Qaeda's Dawa Wing said 30-year-old Shinwari was made the head of the network in Pakistan after consultations and approval by the top al-Qaeda leadership.
The statement cited Shinwari's knowledge about Pakistan's tribal belt and his close affiliation with slain al-Qaeda commander Badr Mansoor as reasons for his appointment.
The statement cited the names of al-Qaeda leaders like Badr Mansoor and Osama bin Laden and said they sacrificed their lives for the sake of Islam.
Al-Qaeda commanders based in Pakistan were not involved in making the decision and they only ratified it, the daily quoted its sources as saying.
Shinwari was close to Badr Mansoor, the al-Qaeda leader who was killed in a US drone attack in North Waziristan on February 9 last year.
Four of his brothers have been involved in terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir with groups like the Harkat-ul-Ansar.
A resident of Landikotal in Khyber agency, Shinwari is fluent in English and computer literate. He belongs to the Khugakhel sub-tribe of the Shinwari tribe and has five brothers.