US Special Forces and Afghan commandos on Tuesday rescued the son of Pakistan’s former prime minister during a raid on an al Qaeda group in Afghanistan. Operation Freedom’s Sentinel officials decided to launch the raid to free Ali Haider Gilani, son of former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani who was kidnapped in Pakistan three years ago, in Paktika Province after evidence of terrorist activity was confirmed, US Forces-Afghanistan said in a statement. Four al Qaeda combatants were killed in the raid, and no other injuries or damage was reported, US Central Command spokesman Air Force Col. Patrick Ryder said Tuesday. Ali Haider Gilani as of Tuesday was in good health and receiving medical care in Afghanistan. “This raid demonstrates the growing capabilities and effectiveness of the Afghan security forces and is an excellent example of the strong security and intelligence partnership between Afghan and US forces under Operation Freedom’s Sentinel,” Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in a statement. “Working alongside our Afghan partners, we will continue to make it clear that there is no safe haven for terrorists in Afghanistan.”
NASA Boss: Race to Moon Has National Security Stakes
Sept. 15, 2026
NASA is pushing hard to get astronauts back to the moon by 2028—and the urgency is driven in no small part by the national security implications of doing so before China does, Administrator Jared Isaacman said Sept. 15.
