Islamabad: Pakistan has said it has not made
any formal arrest in connection with the Times Square terror
plot, amid reports that an "accomplice" of Faisal Shahzad, who
allegedly carried out the botched bombing in New York, has
been held in this country.
However, an investigation is underway into 30-year-old
Shahzad`s alleged links in Pakistan, Interior Minister Rehman
Malik said.
"The US authorities sent us some questions regarding the
issue and we are investigating the matter," he said, as the
American media reported that an "accomplice" of Shahzad had
been held in Pakistan.
The Washington Post said the man held in Pakistan had
provided an "independent stream" of evidence linking the
Pakistani-Taliban to the failed May 1 Times Square attack. It
said he had also admitted to helping Shahzad to travel to the
Pakistani tribal belt for bomb training.
"We are extending full support to US authorities and
would also cooperate with the international community when and
if needed so that terrorists can be brought to justice," Malik
told reporters in Parliament yesterday.
As soon as the investigation is completed, the findings
will be shared with US authorities, he said, adding that
Pakistan had not made any formal arrest in connection with the
botched Times Square plot.
Asked whether the government had sought any cooperation
from the US for training the police force and whether such
training is being imparted at the Sihala police centre, Malik
said Pakistan`s police needs proper training to fight
terrorism.
However, the government will establish a proper training
institute in this regard, he added.
Asked whether an operation against militants was underway
in Kala Dhaka area, Malik said Science and Technology Minister
Azam Khan Swati had made a written request to him for
launching of an operation in the region as some terrorists had
taken refuge there.
"Since the matter is a provincial matter, the request was
sent to the Khyber Pakhtunkhawa administration, subsequent to
which the Frontier Constabulary and other forces were asked to
search the area.
"There is no government control in the area. We had also
some unconfirmed information regarding the presence of
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan leader Maulana Fazlullah and his
associates in the area," he said.
Malik said the government will not tolerate any
individual or group that challenges its writ.
The government has come down hard on militants and
the law and order situation is under control as authorities
are committed to eliminating terrorism, he said.
PTI
