ISLAMABAD (AP) -- A U.S. drone attack in Pakistan is believed to
have killed an al-Qaida commander wanted in the 2008 Mumbai siege.

A Pakistani intelligence officer says there are "strong
indications" that Ilyas Kashmiri was one of nine
militants killed in a missile strike yesterday near the Afghan
border.

A fax purportedly sent by the militant group he was heading says
he was "martyred" and promises revenge against America. But the
authenticity of the message couldn't be independently confirmed.

Indian officials have alleged that Kashmiri was involved in the
2008 siege of a hotel and other targets in the Indian city of
Mumbai that killed more than 160 people.

He was also rumored to be a longshot choice to succeed Osama bin
Laden, who was killed by U.S. special forces in Pakistan just over
a month ago.

The U.S. had offered a $5 million reward for information leading
to his location.