Ustad Ahmad Farooq (language/Urdu: استاد احمد فاروق; c. 1979–1981 − 15 January 2015), born Raja Muhammad Salman (راجہ محمد سلمان) was a Pakistani Islamist jihadi[1] who served as the deputy Emir of Al-Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent,[2] as well as Al-Qaeda's chief media person in Pakistan.
It is believed he played a vital role in establishing Al-Qaeda in Pakistan after the September 11 attacks.
[2] He joined Al-Qaeda and quickly rose to become its chief propagandist in Pakistan, releasing several videos, audio clips and writings perpetuating his views.
[5] On 15 January 2015, Usama Mahmood, the spokesman for Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent confirmed that Ustad Ahmad Farooq, had been killed in drone attacks conducted by the U.S. in the Lowara Mandi area of North Waziristan.
[6][7] President Barack Obama announced that, in the same drone strike, hostage aid workers Giovanni Lo Porto and Warren Weinstein were killed as collateral damage.