Ilyas Kashmiri may replace Osama as Al-Qaeda chief: US official

London, May 11(ANI): Ilyas Kashmiri, who has been linked to multiple terror plots such as a series of '26/11 Mumbai style' attacks in Europe, could take over from Osama Bin Laden as Al-Qaeda chief, a US official has said.

According to the official, Kashmiri has emerged as a dark horse as bin Laden's long-time presumed successor Ayman al-Zawahri is very unpopular in some circles.

Kashmiri has been targeted by the CIA in drone attacks in Pakistan and US prosecutors have indicted him in a major terrorism case going on trial next week involving a Chicago businessman.

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

In addition to Kashmiri and al-Zawahri, five other men touted to replace bin Laden are Abu Yahya al-Libi, Saif al-Adel, Anwar Al-Awlaki, Saad Bin Laden and Nasser Al-Wahayshi.

Kashmiri had served as a commando in a Special Services Group that once trained Afghan mujahedeen fighters to fight the Soviets.

He later left the army to join Harakat-ul Jihad-i-Islami (HUJI) - closely aligned with Al-Qaeda.

In August 2010, the US and the United Nations designated Kashmiri a terrorist.

Bin Laden was killed by US Special Forces at his compound in Pakistan earlier this month after a decade-long manhunt following the 9/11 attacks. (ANI)