Islamabad: A terrorist linked to JuD, who
was caught while trying to sneak an explosive device into a
police office here, has claimed that some "influential"
politicians are patronising the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban
Pakistan, a media report said on Wednesday.
Mohammad Rafique was arrested on Monday when he allegedly
attempted to deliver a parcel containing a bomb to an officer
in the Crime Investigation Agency in Islamabad.
Rafique, who has been linked to JuD, told investigators
that certain politicians, including some who are "very
important and influential," are compelled to help the Taliban
either because of direct threats to them and their families or
their vulnerability due to their links to the tribal areas and
the country's northwest, The News daily quoted unnamed sources
as saying.
The sources claimed Rafique has been cooperating with
investigators and providing information while answering
questions put to him.
"This piece of information that some of the important and
influential politicians are practically helping the (Taliban)
to carry out terror strikes in the country, whether because of
their sympathies or under some sort of duress, is quite
startling," an investigator was quoted as saying.
Rafique's son Mohammad Hanif was a suicide bomber who
blew himself up at the gate of the Pakistan Navy complex here
in December last year, killing two persons.
The arrested man also told investigators that two
terrorists based in the Orakzai tribal region are preparing
and dispatching explosive-laden vehicles for terror attacks
across the country.
He said three terrorists in Orakzai were training suicide
bombers using "intoxication and other techniques."
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, November 17, 2010, 20:40