Ex-Pakistan commando to succeed Osama?

Islamabad: Former Pakistani mercenary Ilyas Kashmiri is being touted as the dark horse in the race to take over the helm of al Qaeda from slain Osama bin Laden, media reports said quoting U.S. security officials.

Linked to multiple terror plots including a series of ‘Mumbai style’ attacks in Europe, the relatively unknown man usually pictured in a heavy beard and aviator sunglasses, could succeed bin Laden, possibly due to the unpopularity of top candidate Ayman al-Zawahri in some circles.

U.S. officials said the elusive man who has been on the Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA) radar for suspected plots for attacks in European cities after the 2008 Mumbai terror strike, has also been indicted in a major terrorism case going on trial next week.

“His star has been on the rise for the last several years. He would have to be on the Al Qaeda shortlist,” the U.S. official told NBC.

According to reports, a former member of Pakistani’s Special Services Group, that once trained Afghan mujahedeen fighters to fight the Soviets, Kashmiri was also assigned to train fighters in Kashmir against India.

However, he left the Pakistan’s military and joined Harakat-ul Jihad-i-Islami (HUJI), a militant outfit with close links to the al Qaeda.

Even though officials refused to confirm whether evidence recovered from bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan had revealed a direct contact between the two terrorists, but court documents suggested it, NBC reported.

Meanwhile, al Qaeda has said it will avenge the killing of its chief Osama bin Laden by US Navy Seals in his safe house, said SITE Intelligence Group, that tracks the online activity of terrorist organizations.

In an online statement, al Qaeda’s mouthpiece Al-Fajr Media Centre said US will ‘pay a price’ for Osama killing, whom they called a ‘martyr’ and had the support of Allah (God).

“Despite the stress and the affliction, he continued to smile, certain of the victory of Allah and convinced of His support. He did not retreat nor flatter; instead, he incited to jihad and martyrdom and sought that with his person and his money,” it said.

Calling Osama’s encounter a ‘big mistake’ for the US and a ‘serious sin’, the Al-Fajr statement on Tuesday said: "Today, Obama distributed among you the blood of our martyr. We are an Umma (Muslim community) that does not remain silent to injustice, so do not blame us after today.

“You are those who chose him and you are those who will pay the price. Obama is protected by armies, who will protect you from our assault?"

Al-Fajr said taking revenge of Osama’s death is ‘necessary’ for Jihad.

"It is necessary to take revenge for the killing of the Sheikh of Jihad and the Lion of Islam, in such a way that will make America forget the pleasure of its happiness and make it cry blood. We say to every mujahid (holy warrior) Muslim, if there is an opportunity, do not waste it.”

“Do not consult anyone about killing Americans or destroying their economy. The land of Allah is vast and their interests are spread, so make the utmost effort to strike them so that the word of Allah is supreme -- as our martyr Sheikh, with permission from Allah, advised."

Earlier, Osama’s sons also released a statement where they voiced their disapproval at Osama’s sea burial.

"We warn the Americans against touching the body of the sheikh ... or treating it in an improper way. The dead bodies should be handed over to their families, or else any offence will open unto you doors of multitudes of evil for which you will only have yourselves to blame. We call upon all the Muslims to fulfil their duty to enforce this truth,” said the statement carried by SITE.

One if his sons Omar reportedly said they reserved the right to take legal action in the US to "determine the true fate of our vanished father", branding bin Laden’s sea burial a "humiliation" for his family.

Another son of bin Laden, who has not been identified yet, was reportedly missing from the Abbottabad compound. Quoting Pakistani officials, ABC news reported that that Osama's three wives who are in custody said that one of his sons has not been seen since the May 2 raid.

Osama, who was killed in Pakistan on May 2 ending an almost decade long manhunt for the world's most sought after terrorist, is survived by 18 children, having married five times. The U.S. however, have denied taking in anyone besides bin Laden’s body.

Responsible for the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, that killed about 3,000 people, bin Laden was hunted worldwide only to be found nearly ten years later in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad, 60 km north of capital Islamabad.