Islamabad, March 03: The suspected mastermind of the Sept 11 attacks is being interrogated by US and Pakistani agents after what Washington called the biggest catch so far in the war on terror. The 37-year-old Kuwaiti was arrested with two other people in a joint Pakistani-CIA operation near the Pakistani capital of Islamabad on Saturday.

Pakistan Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat told BBC News Online that Sheikh Mohammed was in Pakistani custody, being interrogated about his activities in the country.

But his exact whereabouts remain unknown, with some reports saying that he has already been handed over to US authorities and taken out of the country. Asked about whether he would be handed over to the United States, Mr Hayat said his government would first approach Sheikh Mohammed`s country of origin, before deciding what to do next.
Washington has described him as one of al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden`s "most senior and significant lieutenants".
His capture prompted joy in the US Government. "That`s fantastic!" was President George W Bush`s reported reaction to the news.
Bureau Report