Security forces have arrested a suspected Al Qaeda-linked militant of foreign nationality in the northwestern tribal region bordering Afghanistan, said military spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan on Sunday. âHe is a foreigner, he was arrested on Friday,â he said. However Maj Gen Sultan would not confirm the 24-year-old manâs nationality but another security official said that he had said he was Russian. âThe suspect first identified himself as a Pakistani, giving his name as Abid Ayaz, and, on further interrogation, revealed that he is a Russian belonging to Moscow,â the official said in Peshawar.
"You're a Pak? That's a pretty funny accent y'got there for bein' a Pak!"
"Is being from Far North Vaziristan!" |
âWe suspect he has links with the Al Qaeda terror network,â the official said. The suspect was being interrogated by police and military intelligence, he added. Maj Gen Sultan said, âCertain investigations are to be carried out before we finally establish the nationality.â Pakistani troops have stepped up security at the border amid allegations that Taliban and Al Qaeda fugitives flee into Pakistan after attacks in Afghanistan on Afghan and US-led coalition forces. Under a deal brokered by tribal elders in April, the Pakistani government said an estimated 500 foreigners suspected to be Al Qaeda-linked militants in the area could stay there if they renounced militancy and registered with the authorities. However none has registered. |